A performer is fighting for his life in a northern Michigan hospital after enduring serious injuries in what friends are calling a “hate crime.”
On the morning of July 12, Darryl “Lonn” Hartman, a 37-year-old resident of Auburn Hills, metro Detroit, was found critically injured inside his tent at the Blissfest Music Festival campground in Harbor Springs.
Hartman reportedly had traveled to the festival with friends to perform. After his performance, he told his dance partner that he would be sleeping early. The next morning, he was found partially hanging out of his tent, naked, face down, and unresponsive after suffering two severe neck lacerations that caused him to lose over eight pints of blood.
More than a week has passed since Hartman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, his family and friends are urging police to thoroughly investigate the brutal assault to determine if it was motivated by a hate crime.
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Hartman’s close friend, Valyncia Page-Carpenter, revealed that the injuries are most likely not self-inflicted. She revealed that Hartman was not suicidal and that she had had lengthy conversations with him. She said Hartman never mentioned “hate or anger upon anybody, especially not upon himself.”
Trace Garnier, Hartman’s friend, revealed one key piece of evidence that suggested he had been on the edge: He sent a text message only hours before the attack where he explicitly mentioned not feeling safe. “So I just pray and hope that he does get this justice because he didn’t deserve this,” she told WXYZ Detroit.
Speaking to Fox 2 Detroit, Garnier spoke on the intensity of the injuries. “You ask anybody about him, and they will tell you he would give you the shirt off of his back for anybody, and frankly we’re all shocked and in disbelief of who would do something to such a sweet person,” she said, adding that with the amount of blood that he has lost, it’s a miracle that he is still breathing. “He did not deserve this, and from all the evidence we gathered, it looks like it could’ve been a hate crime at this point,” she said.
The Emmet County Sheriff’s Department said the investigation is ongoing and no possibilities have been ruled out. Detectives interviewed over a dozen festivalgoers and collected biological evidence, including items stained with blood.
The organizers of the music festival have released a statement: “We are deeply saddened to share that on the morning of Sunday, July 12, a serious medical incident was reported in the Blissfest campground that required an emergency response.”
“Blissfest works collaboratively with Emmet County EMS, RFC Fire & Rescue, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department, and the Office of Emergency Management throughout the year to prepare for emergencies of this nature. We all share a commitment to prioritizing safety during the festival and appreciate the prompt and professional response rendered by all parties.”
“Out of respect for the privacy of those involved and the ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional details at this time. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the individual involved, their family, and their friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
As the incident gained traction across social media, netizens seemed to agree with Hartman’s friend on the motive behind the cruel attack.
“This is the second Black man in a month who was murdered/attacked… hate to know this from experience, but homicide at music festivals isn’t unique either…,” an Instagram user wrote.
Another added, “So he was sleeping, and someone came and did this to him and left him there? He performed? He was there with no friends? Was he LGBTQ? Someone saw something! North Michigan, y’all gotta be better than this. I pray he pulls through and tells his story. He needs to tell his story. This is absurd. Why can’t we just be left alone?”
A separate commentator talked about a similar incident, hinting at a pattern between such attacks: “A Black kid was lynched at Electric Forest last month. Also a festival in Michigan; the kid was from Illinois.”
A fourth one shared about their own experience: “This is so disturbing. I played at this festival a few years ago and brought my mother with me. We experienced several racist situations there (some with festival volunteers, others with audience members), but I had to play like nothing was happening. I’m so sorry to hear about Lonn, and I pray he pulls through and gets justice.”
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public record.
