The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a weekend incident at the Blissfest Music Festival, during which an adult male suffered severe lacerations to the neck, the agency announced on Friday, July 17.
At this stage of the investigation, authorities said, it is unclear whether these injuries were self-inflicted or the result of an altercation involving another person.
The man, police identified as Lonn Hartman, according to the Friends of The Children − Detroit, was pursuing his master’s in clinical mental health counseling at Oakland University. He also worked for the Detroit-based youth mentoring program.
Hartman, according to a GoFundMe, is being treated for his injuries, although police have not released details as of Monday, July 20.
Police say since the incident occurred, social media posts have spread unverified misinformation, which has derailed investigators.
“We urgently request that any individual who attended Blissfest and has relevant information or who may have witnessed this incident contact the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office directly rather than sharing details on social media,” a news release reads.
Investigators can be reached at 231-439-8900 or contactroadpatrol@emmetcounty.org.
The annual Blissfest Music Festival, held from Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12 this year, takes place in Harbor Springs, just north of Petoskey.
T Garnier of Petoskey started the GoFundMe to support the family. As of 3:30 p.m. on July 20, the account had raised more than $31,000 of a requested $200,000.
“The funds raised through this GoFundMe will help cover Lonn’s mounting medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and legal fees as our family works to ensure a complete investigation and pursue justice for those responsible for harming him.”
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man suffers deep cuts to neck at Blissfield Music Festival
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
