ST. LOUIS — On New Year's Day, police were initially called for a shooting at North Jefferson and Delmar, just steps away from Kipp High School and the Scott Joplin House near the Downtown West area.
However, when officers got there shortly before six that evening, they say they found a 52-year-old man suffering from cuts and injuries to his face.
Investigators say he wasn't shot, but brutally beaten.
"Nobody deserves that. That's all I can say. Nobody deserves to be beaten," said Trivonea Williams, a customer at the Crown Mart gas station.
Police said the victim was drunk when he started a fistfight with an 18-year-old man across the street from the gas station.
Investigators said a 20-year-old man then jumped in and both suspects "continued to assault the victim" by kicking him, hitting him with a glass bottle and then urinating on his face.
The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
"It's more than crazy. It's whacked out," said Williams said.
'It's upsetting. That's not cool. I don't appreciate it," said another customer.
A gas station worker told 5 On Your Side that prior to the reported beating, all three men came inside the store and then left.
She said the men know each other and are regular customers.
5 On Your Side was also told they live down the street at the Tiny Homes Transitional Housing Village, which provides temporary housing for the homeless.
A city spokesman is trying to verify that.
Police said that after beating up the man, the two suspects ran inside the Crown Mart and "informed an employee that they had just knocked out a man across the street."
"I don't think there's no good reason regardless of what was going on, you just shouldn't beat somebody and leave them on the ground for dead. That's evil. It's disgusting," said a gas station customer.
"I just hope he survives. The only thing we can do is pray for him," added Williams.
Police said the man was expected to survive.
They also say when they arrested the two suspects, they both admitted they were involved in the incident.
As of Tuesday night, no charges had been filed.