Two arrested in Wal-Mart beating

Two men remained in custody Thursday, accused of beating another man into unconsciousness and leaving his body near Wal-Mart.

Gregory Allen Kelly Jr., 19, of Carson City and Kyle Louis Shannon, 18, of South Lake Tahoe, are each being held in the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony battery causing substantial bodily harm and robbery.

According to the arrest report, witnesses to the Tuesday morning beating in the 3200 block of Market Street contacted the sheriff's department on Wednesday and stated they were supposed to pick up Kelly and Shannon at Wal-Mart when they happened upon the beating just after midnight.

The victim, Michael Hamilton, 27, was unconscious and on life-support for a short time, before recovering at Washoe Medical Center.

Carson City Sheriff's Sgt. Bob White said Hamilton suffered a punctured lung among other injuries.

According to Detective Dave Legros, during an interview following his arrest Wednesday night, Shannon allegedly admitted he and Kelly were discussing taking someone's purse when they saw Hamilton and decided to rob him.

"(Shannon) stated that they ran at the subject, at which time the subject fell or tripped to the ground. (Shannon) stated once the subject was on the ground, Kelly kicked the subject in the back of the head. (Shannon) stated he and (Kelly) then continued to kick the subject. (He) stated once the subject appeared to be unconscious because he could hear snoring, he went through the subject's front pockets and took his credit card and identification," Legros wrote in the report.

A juvenile said he was with the two, but denied being involved in the alleged beating.

Each man is being held on $40,000 bail.

-- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.