Police Say 'Persons of Interest' in Beating Are Local High School Students

During a press conference this morning, Pleasanton Police Sergeant Maria Munayer told the media that the police department has several "persons of interest" they are questioning in connection to the beating of a Pleasanton man early on Saturday morning.

[Related article: UPDATE: Man Hospitalized, Comatose After Being Beaten on Middleton Place]

According to Munayer, the "persons of interest" attend both of the "local high schools in Pleasanton" and they are not yet being considered suspects at this time. 

Munayer was not able to comment on how many students are involved in the incident but did say the initial reports given to the police responding to the incident on Sept. 21 claimed that "several juveniles" were involved, although Munayer says police have not been able to confirm that information.

Munayer says the case is actively being investigated, and that the police department is taking the incident "very seriously."

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. 

Police say a dark colored SUV was seen leaving the location by a witness.

Friends have identified the victim as 51-year-old David Lamont of Pleasanton. According to his LinkedIn page, Lamont is a "Pro marketer of storage, security and data management products, entrepreneur, and an editor."

Lamont has severe injuries to his head and is comatose at the Eden Trauma Center in Castro Valley. Lamont's wife, Agnes Lamont, has been with his at the hospital since the incident. Lamont has two daughters. 

A family friend is reporting that Lamont's condition has not changed.

In a tearful interview the victim's wife, Agnes Lamont, told NBC Bay Area, "It's so horrible and so cruel. The fact that they left him there to die... I can't understand it." 

When asked about the cul-de-sac at the end of Middleton Place being problematic for the police in the past, Munayer says there is "no significant history at the end of the court."

However, neighbors say the cul-de-sac and trail at the end of it have been known gathering spot for juveniles for years.

One neighbor, who wishes not to be identified due to the violent nature of the crime, says that the community is tight-knit. She added that she didn't hear anything on the night of the attack and didn't learn about it until the following morning. 

The cul-de-sac at the end of Middleton Place backs up to a large open space. Homes on Middleton Place are valued at about $1.3 million, according to Zillow.

The Pleasanton Police Department is asking for the assistance of anyone who may have information related to this crime.  They are encouraged to call the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5100.