Family asks for public's help in finding man who attacked son outside bar



SEATTLE  --  A Mercer Island man is looking for justice and hoping the public can help.

Matthew Hayes has been through a lot these past few months.  A private detective says he was the victim of a brutal, random assault on Capitol Hill in December.

“I got punched in my cheekbone and that knocked me back.  I hit my skull on the pavement and it caused a brain hemorrhage and I had a craniotomy,” says Matthew.

Investigators believe the man in the sketch tried to pick a fight with Matthew's friend outside Rhein Haus bar while they waited for their ride.  Matthew says he remembers he tried to get his friend away from the stranger, who appeared angry and intoxicated.

After the man punched Matthew, his friends say he just ran away.

While Matthew's family is proud of how far he's come, they long for closure.

The suspect is described as 21-26 years of age, at least 6-foot, 215 pounds, with an athletic build and dark hair. His race is unknown.

Matthew's family is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

If you have any information call CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS