A 25-year-old man was transported to Albert Lea Medical Center and later to Rochester early Saturday morning after he was reportedly hit in the head with a shovel outside a home on South Newton Avenue.

According to police reports, the man, who gave the name of Victor Nolasco-Linares and no address, received serious head injuries.

Another 30-year-old man, Kevin Ellis, who lived at the residence at 731 S. Newton Ave., and allegedly hit Nolasco-Linares, received minor injuries.

Reports stated there was a family gathering at the house at about 2:19 a.m. Saturday, when the people started hearing noises outside. A few people went outside to investigate and didn’t hear anything, so they came back inside.

Ellis was in the garage and heard noises again, which were described sounding like branches breaking.

He went out the garage door to the rear and shone a flashlight in the yard, reports stated. A large, Hispanic male, who was reportedly intoxicated, was observed leaning against the shed.

Reports indicated as soon as Ellis shone a flashlight on Nolasco-Linares, Nolasco-Linares allegedly rushed toward Ellis.

Police stated Ellis reportedly thought he was being attacked, at one point ducked out of the way and then swung a shovel at Nolasco-Linares.

Ellis was reportedly struck in the mid-section.

Albert Lea Police Chief Dwaine Winkels said the case will be forwarded to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for possible charges.

No one was arrested.