RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) -An update on the Richmond man still recovering from a traumatic brain injury after being brutally beaten.ย Police still believe the attack on Charles Magenda, a National Guard member , was random.ย The people who did it are still out there.
On Wednesday, the owner of the club speaks out as she faces losing her liquor license.
Six months after that attack, the 24-year-old Kenya native is living in Henrico with family. On the outside the bruises are gone, but his family says the damage to his brain remains.
“He has really improved. Now he is able to do almost everything by himself,” says Douglas Kimemia, Charles’ cousin.
Kimemia speaks on his cousin’s behalf because he says Magenda is still in pain.
“Whatever they did was wrong and in any way that is not what a human being should do to another human being,” he said.
Police say back in July, dozens of people beat Magenda at the Island Venture Restaurant and Lounge on Semmes Avenue.
On Wednesday the business owner, Dawn Phipps, faced losing her liquor license.ย ABC agents say Island Venture had numerous violations dating back several years; including not meeting state food and alcohol standards, selling alcoholic beverages they were not licensed to sell and staying open past two in the morning.
At the hearing, the owner was facing 15 charges, but ย two were withdrawn or dismissed.ย NBC12 did catch up with her and asked her about the incidents that allegedly took place at the restaurant.
“My heart goes out to him and his family and I hope that he really does recover,” she said.
But she says police have it all wrong.ย Some employees at the restaurant say Magenda was beaten somewhere else.
“I’m very sorry that that happened to that young man but that did not happen in my building,” she said.
While no arrests have been made, Magenda’s family say this young man is determined in his recovery they just hope someone will come forward.
The ABC board has up to 90 days to decide if the business owner will keep her liquor license. Right now the restaurant/lounge remains closed.
If you know anything that could help solve Magenda’s attack call Crime Stopper at 780-1000.ย Tips can by anonymous.
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