Two women who attended Dragon Con in Atlanta are recovering from head injuries after they were hit by chairs thrown from a hotel balcony Sunday morning.
Two chairs were tossed from the 10th floor of Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown Atlanta about 1:40 a.m., Atlanta police spokesman Sgt. John Chafee told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That floor had a terrace area from which chairs could have been thrown so police said they do not believe the chairs came from a guest’s room, Officer Carlos Campos said.
Kelly McDaniel, 25, told Channel 2 Action News she heard loud pops and felt something wet and warm gushing down here face.
"It was just so much blood," McDaniel said.
She was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition for treatment of a head injury, Chafee said.
McDaniel thinks her Loki costume from the “Avengers” movies helped lessen the blow from the chair.
"I really think that saved my life," she said.
She is urging witnesses to call police.
“I think they need to be punished by the law for assault with a deadly weapon,” she said. “I could have been really hurt.”
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Jamie Temple-Thompson Amador, who was dressed as Jessica Rabbit from the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” was rushed to WellStar Atlanta Medical Hospital, friend Jennifer Matteson told The AJC.
Both women have been released from their hospitals.
Matteson said she and Amador drove from Louisiana for their first Dragon Con.
All in all, Matteson said their experience was still positive from the “phenomenal” hotel hospitality to the community.
“The love and support from the Dragon Con family is heart warming to say the least,” Matteson said. “We can't wait to return for an even better experience, and reconnect with our new Atlanta family!”
But Lee Satterfield had a different impression. He watched the commotion afterward and said he’s feared incidents like this because he believes Dragon Con is unorganized.
“No one there knows what they're doing,” he said.
Dragon Con spokesman Dan Carroll said in a statement that organizers “are grateful that the injuries were not more severe.
“We are proud of the Dragon Con attendees who stepped up quickly, realized the severity of the situation and provided immediate assistance,” Carroll said.
An official police investigation is ongoing and anyone with video or information should contact the Atlanta Police Department.
Tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000 via Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or visit crimestoppersatlanta.org.
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