Family Holding Out Hope Teen Recovers From Brutal Beating

Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A mother from Midwest City is holding out hope that her 16-year-old son will pull through after he was attacked and beaten by a group of people over the weekend.

Matthew Bartee was transported to the OU Medical Center's ICU to be treated for wounds he suffered during the attack.

"He has a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain and some swelling," said Kristina Griggs-Rogers, Bartee's mother.

Griggs-Rogers said she received a call around 2:30 Sunday morning from someone saying her son and his friends had been attacked.

"He had gotten off work and was going to help a friend. I think basically he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Griggs-Rogers said.

Bartee and his friends were at S.W. 59th Street and Douglas Avenue early Sunday morning. The area is a popular place for people to ride their ATVs. Police said it was there that a group of people jumped Bartee and his friends and beat them.

"They described it as approximately 30 individuals getting out and attacking them, actually hitting them with baseball bats," said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Gary Knight.

Police are now looking to question a number of people.

Bartee's mother said she does not know who would have attacked her son or why.

"Some heartless people, some heartless people because if you really knew my son, he would be the first one there to help you before he would even think about trying to hurt you. And it's just kids up to no good as far as I'm concerned," Griggs-Rogers said.

Since the attack, Bartee has been in and out of consciousness.

"He'll get better. He's a fighter. He's a good kid," Griggs-Rogers said.

One of Bartee's friends was also hit with a baseball bat. He received stitches and was released from the hospital.

Anyone with information regarding the attack should call Crime Stoppers at 405-235-7300.