Up to 3 sought in Halloween assault

As many as three men may be facing felony assault charges for the attack early Saturday on a city man outside the North Side Improvement League, according to Watertown police and the victim's mother.

Edward A. Ward, 31, of 650 Burlington St., suffered fractures to his skull, spine and nose in the beating, and has suffered a loss of hearing in his left ear, his mother, Jan Ward, 721 Hancock St., said Wednesday.

Contrary to what a Samaritan Medical Center spokeswoman told the Times Tuesday, Mr. Ward was not treated and released, Mrs. Ward said. He was transferred to Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, and was discharged Sunday, she said.

The assault occurred after Mr. Ward and the assailants left a Halloween party at the North Side Improvement League, she said. Three men approached him from behind in the parking lot shortly before 12:30 a.m. and jumped him, she said.

After the attack, they all got into a car and drove away, she said.

Her son has no knowledge of motive, she said, but he does know the attackers.

Detective Sgt. Joseph R. Donoghue confirmed that initially one suspect "known to the victim" was named, but also said "there may have been more people involved." The investigation has been assigned to a detective, he said.

Sgt. Donoghue asked that anyone with knowledge about the incident call the department at 782-2233.