Link copied
Organisers of Rock The South Festival have offered a reward of $10,000 and lifetime tickets to anyone that comes forward with information after what's being called a "brutal" assault at it's event this past weekend (July 20-22).
Reid Watts, 18, was in attendance at the Cullman, AL festival when he was assaulted, causing him to reportedly be hospitalised with a concussion, fractured nose and other injuries.
Graphic footage filmed on a mobile phone shows a brawl occurring, where what appears to be a person in a white t-shirt attacks Watts, repeatedly punching him.
Speaking to Good Day Alabama, Watts explained how a nurse also in attendance at the festival saved his life. "There were others involved, the nurse definitely was as well. He's probably saved my life. I was completely unconscious, and he's the one that beat everybody off, got to me and was able to get to me, get me up and get me to help".
Watts' mother has filed a report with the Cullman Police Department, who made a statement in a tweet to their official Twitter account: "The Cullman Police Department is aware of the assault that took place at Rock the South last evening. A report is being filed and an investigation is underway. We are relying on the public's assistance in identifying those involved".
Festival founder Shane Quick also spoke to Good Day Alabama, discussing the events that took place and the reward the festival is offering. "When something like this happens, it really stands out like a sore thumb", Quick explained to the broadcaster.
"We've had thousands of people reach out to us and Cullman City, I'm hearing that they think they've got their man already, so I don't think it's going to take long to have these guys behind bars, and we wanted to be a part of that.
"Our fans came together like never before to find out who this guy or guys was", Quick continues. "It's something we hate and we never want to see happen again".
Rock The South was initially organised as a one-off fundraiser in 2011 to help victims of Alabama's Super Outbreak of tornadoes.
Since that first show in 2011, the festival has donated over $600,000 to local charities including The Link, Alabama Forever, Brook’s Place and Children’s Hospital of Alabama. The festival has prided itself on giving back to the community and celebrating Southern culture for more than a decade.
If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Cullman Police Department on (256) 734 1434 or through their Facebook page.
