OAKLAND — A local resident initially survived a brutal beating at a liquor store, long enough to chug two bottles of hard liquor and fall asleep in his home, but died in his home two days later, police say.
The 49-year-old man, identified by authorities as Shawn Corrigan, was assaulted by multiple people outside of a liquor store, suffering serious injuries and losing consciousness during the attack, according to police. Afterwards, rather than seeking medical treatment, Corrigan walked home, drank two bottles of Vodka, and fell asleep, only occasionally getting up for the next 48 hours, until his death, authorities said.
Corrigan’s roommate reported the death to police on Oct. 8, stating that Corrigan appeared to be coughing in his sleep that morning, when the roommate left for work. An autopsy suggested possible causes of death included water in his lungs and liver disease, though a final determination has not yet been made, authorities said.
For now, Oakland police are treating Corrigan’s death as a homicide and are working to identify his attackers. They say that Corrigan and another man argued inside a liquor store on School Street, with Corrigan touching the other man’s soda can and challenging him.
Outside the store, Corrigan was attacked by at least two friends of the man he’d been arguing with, according to police. The attackers kicked and stomped on him after he fell and told him, “I bet you won’t talk no more s—,” after the fight was over, authorities said.
Corrigan appeared to lose consciousness but eventually got up and walked home, authorities said.
Police were able to identify the man who’d argued with Corrigan in the store, who said he hadn’t joined the attack because he’s a Christian, authorities said.
From surveillance footage, police say they were able to identify one of the attackers as an Oakland resident in his 20s who has a pending misdemeanor gun possession case. Thus far, no one has been charged in connection with Corrigan’s death. The investigation remains open.