Statement from John DePetro of attack on Staples Avenue Wednesday night August 17, 2022.

” There is Facebook Live stream video from Wednesday night that shows the two minutes that I arrived on Staples Avenue to update viewers on the Charlotte Lester missing person case. Mark Perkins charged at me with his running gas lawnmower and did manage to cut our live stream video. The true attack happened once the stream was cut, with an eye witness on scene ( Ladybug) and other witnesses. Mark Perkins, in orange ski mask, began violently punching me while screaming he would kill me. He tripped me and I was knocked to the pavement. He kept punching me in the head and began kicking me in the side of the head and back. At one point he was grabbing my leg trying to drag me over to the running lawnmower. He stated he was going to use the lawnmower to run me over and kill me right there on the street of Staples Avenue. I managed to get to my feet and fend him off while we dialed police. He escaped onto his property with my iPhone, blue microphone and part of my tripod. Warwick Police arrived on scene and arrested him wearing the same clothes he was wearing during the attack. I gave a statement to police and sought medical treatment. I was released from the hospital early this morning.”