Beating Victim's Family Says He is on a 'Journey Towards Significant Recovery'

BY AUTUMN JOHNSON

The family and friends of a Pleasanton man who was knocked unconscious after an altercation on Middleton Place in Pleasanton last September say he is slowly improving and has hit major milestones such as relearning to swallow and walk again thanks to his rehabilitation efforts. 

[Related article: Beating Victim Awake From Coma, Starting Rehabilitation]

Lamont suffered severe head injuries after the incident involving Lamont and four others. On Sept. 21, around 12:11 a.m., police responding to a 911 hang-up call say a man was found unconscious laying in the street in the 4900 block of Middleton Place.

Police officials believe the victim had gone outside to confront a loud group of teenagers in the cul-de-sac when he was attacked and badly beaten.  

In a previous Patch report, Pleasanton Police said the four other people involved in the incident have been identified and questioned but no arrest has been made. 
Craig Mullins, a friend of David Lamont's family, created a fundraising page for the Lamont family to help with the expenses associated with 51-year-old's recovery. Over $21,780 in donations have been raised to date.

Lamont's family has posted the following statement on the donation page:

We offer heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful people who have helped, prayed and comforted our family these past months. The tragedy that happened in an instant devastated us on many levels and we will always carry scars. However, we are blessed in many ways. Our faith in God, and our bonds with friends and community have deepened. A single act of evil in no way competes with the love, compassion and decency that we see daily from friends and strangers.

Dave was left for dead but thanks to a wonderful miracle and outstanding medical care, he is now on a journey towards significant recovery. Multiple surgeries and intense rehabilitation have taken their toll but Dave's innate strength and extraordinary work ethic are propelling him through important milestones like breathing independently, relearning to walk, and being able to swallow again. As his family we can love and encourage him but we cannot lift the burden of his physical suffering. Our suffering has been emotional rather than physical. The girls experienced elemental fear, were stripped of innocence and a sense of security. Please know, though, that you have helped lift our burden and we will always be grateful.

We never thought that we would be at the receiving end of the kind of care and giving with which you have gifted us and we are humbled. We will never deserve this outreach but hope to pay it forward to others when we can. All of your many prayers and good thoughts have sustained us and helped us get a miracle started for Dave. Thank you collectively and we will try to thank you individually also where possible. Please keep us in your prayers and good thoughts as we will keep you in ours. The Lamont Family.

Lamont's wife, Agnes Lamont, has been by Lamont's side since the incident. Lamont has two daughters.

Police investigators have not released any further updates regarding the case since mid-November. On Nov. 13, Lieutenant Jeffrey Bretzing told Patch investigators are hoping eventually to be able to speak to Lamont to learn more about what happened that night.

Related articles: 

• Friends of Beating Victim Encouraged by His Progress
  
• Police Say 'Persons of Interest' in Beating Are Local High School Students
  
• UPDATE: Man Hospitalized, Comatose After Being Beaten on Middleton Place