LYNN — The family of a Lynn man who was violently attacked on February 10 is seeking financial assistance through GoFundMe to deal with hospital bills and other expenses related to the assault.
Celso Esteban, 32, is in critical condition following the seemingly random attack, which occurred the week after he became a father to a newborn.
“My brother is in critical condition and fighting for his life,” wrote Celso’s brother Bryan Esteban in the description of the GoFundMe campaign. “He has to pay bills and rent. More bills that are to come and he will also need time to regain his health, if he ever does. We need all the help to support his newborn baby, and his family. Pray for us please.”
As of Wednesday, the fund had raised $8,201 of its $30,000 goal.
According to Boston 25 News, Celso and his family had immigrated to Lynn from Guatemala, in search of a better life, and had been employed as landscapers.
Esteban’s attack was the second assault of the night, and Lynn police believe that the two attacks may have been linked.
The first attack occurred around 5:30 p.m., when a 29-year-old woman walking in the area of Market Square in Lynn was attacked from behind and struck, possibly with a bat.
Then, minutes later around the corner, police reported that Esteban was attacked from behind in a similar way on Western Avenue, where he was struck over the head, possibly also with a bat.
According to Police Lt. Michael Kmiec, the victim in the first attack is expected to make a full recovery, while Esteban remains in critical condition.
Jeffrey Suazo, 31, of 1 Andover Drive, Peabody, was arrested in Market Square at 7:14 p.m. that night, on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Lynn Police recovered a baseball bat in Suazo’s motor vehicle shortly after he was arrested.
“They were in the same area and the proximity and time are close to one another so we do believe he was responsible for the second one — we just don’t have enough evidence to charge him at this point,” said Kmiec. “We’re looking for at least one witness to come forward to link the two attacks.”
Suazo was arraigned in Lynn District Court on February 11, and is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for March 2, said Essex County District Attorney spokeswoman Carrie Kimball.
Anyone with information related to the attacks is asked to call Lynn Police at (781) 595-2000.
