Appearing in Saturday’s edition of the Whidbey News-Times is a story concerning Chris Cooper, 23, of Oak Harbor.
Cooper was found unconscious around 2:20 a.m. Saturday on SE Pioneer Way.
His family said he suffered injuries from several hard blows to the head and face.
Cooper is currently in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center and Hospital in Seattle. He is in a comatose state and listed in serious condition.
Oak Harbor police are investigating the incident, but wouldn’t provide many details.
His family says he was assaulted. When contacted by a reporter, Oak Harbor police would not verify if they are investigating it as an assault. They said that HIPPA laws prevent them from releasing that type of information. However, those laws don’t apply to police reports, but rather to patients receiving health care.
Several fundraisers are being planned to help cover Chris Cooper’s medical costs, including one Saturday at Football Bat located on Highway 20. The sports bar is donating 20 percent of all proceeds to the cause.
