DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Volusia County deputies said an assault that happened Sunday afternoon at the Daytona Flea & Farmer's Market is in retaliation to a stalking incident.
Mark Burk, 53, first met the stalking victim, a female correctional officer, at Halifax Medical Center last year. Deputies said the officer was guarding an inmate in the psychiatric ward, where Burk was also a patient.
Investigators said Burk kept bothering the officer at the hospital until she told him to stop last Thursday twice and requested to press charges. Deputies said Burk showed up to the Volusia County Correctional Facility where the woman works and dropped off six letters addressed to the officer that were marked "return to sender."
The report stated the letters were complimentary and were requests to meet with the officer. Authorities arrested Burk for stalking and he bonded out shortly after. However, deputies said Burk's arrest wasn't good enough for the officer's family.
Deputies arrived to the Daytona Flea & Farmers Market to find Burk, bloody and beaten. Investigators said one of the men responsible for the assault is 25-year-old Terrill Wilder, the correctional officer's brother. Deputies said Wilder and another man repeatedly punched Burk in the face and kicked him once he was on the ground. Wilder then jumped in a car and took off.
"Holy cow they beat this man!" a 911 caller told dispatchers.
Deputies quickly caught Wilder thanks to several witnesses. He was arrested for aggravated battery causing bodily harm. However, investigators said they're still searching for Wilder's accomplice.
Burk suffered a swollen eye and some cuts, but declined medical attention.