Beaten man in Pace is identified (UPDATE2)

A Pace man is in critical condition after he was found beaten early Wednesday morning in Pace near the former Santa Rosa Tax Collector's office.

According to Sgt. Scott Haines, a man who has been identified as 58-year-old Mark Alfred was found after being severely beaten along side Highway 90 in Pace.

Alfred was transported to West Florida Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

About 30 evidence markers lined the front parking lot of Advanced Tires, and at 10 a.m., deputies were still in the parking lot investigating the scene.

Cindy Hartsell, who works at the H&R Block tax store just a few doors down from the crime scene said she arrived at her job at 7:30 a.m. and saw deputies at the service center next door.

“I saw a coroner and a bunch of cop cars,” Hartsell said. “I didn’t know what was going on.”

Santa Rosa County Public Information Officer Joy Tsubooka stated a call was received at 7:09 a.m. reporting a man was was on the ground like he had fallen from a vehicle.

Further updates will be posted as they become available.