A 52-year-old Big Pine Key homeless man was airlifted to Jackson South Medical Center in Miami Sunday afternoon after he was reportedly struck by homeless man.
George Wesley Shaia was airlifted after the 11:30 a.m. incident at a homeless camp near 100 County Road on Big Pine Key.
Detective Spencer Curry was working an off-duty detail when he was flagged down by someone from the nearby Keys Vineyard Community Church requesting an ambulance for a man, later identified as Shaia, who had a cut on the back of his head.
Shaia told newly arrived Deputy Donald Stullken that he was talking to a homeless woman at the camp when another homeless man “sucker punched” him in the back of the head.
Deputy Stullken noticed the cut to Shaia’s head as well as his left eye, which was swollen and turning purple.
It was determined that Shaia needed to be flown to Miami.
Deputy Stullken later found the woman who spoke with Shaia, but she was too intoxicated to make a statement.
Detective Curry and other Detectives are investigating whether Shaia was attacked or if he suffered some other medical emergency.
Shaia remained at the hospital Monday in stable condition.