IOWA CITY - This Mother's Day definitely has a new meaning for Catherine Winn, as she searches for the people who nearly beat her own son to death. Police have no suspects in 22-year-old Brian LaGro's attack that happened in the 500 block of Burlington Street in Iowa City early in the morning Saturday, May 3.

While Brian LaGro rests and recovers upstairs, his mom, roommates and a few friends sit in his his living room, plotting their own plan of attack.

Winn says, "Just to see my healthy, six-foot son just laying there for no reason."

Like everyone in the room, Winn has trouble grasping a motive for the beating that left her boy - an avid athlete, college student, and all-around nice guy - in the hospital, facing brain surgery.

His friend, Beth Weinert, says, "Who would do this to such a wonderful guy? And it just made me very sick to my stomach."

LaGro's family put up a 10-thousand dollar reward for a tip leading to his attackers' arrests. His friends posted hundreds of these Wanted posters around campus, by the bar he left that night on his way home, and at the gas station near the place police found him unconscious.

He was only a few feet away from his own house when the attack happened. Police have confiscated the video surveillance footage from the gas station here, but so far no new information. The poster really might be the best chance LaGro has at catching his assailants."

This group believes someone saw something. Even though LaGro is back at home, he still can't remember much about that night.

His roommate, Tyler Mathiesen, says, "He's forced to take several different types of pain medication on the hour each hour."

Weinert adds, "To have it happen to someone your care about, someone you know, it's a horrible feeling."

Winn fears important information might disappear, as college classes end this week and students leave town.

She says, "I want them in jail. I really want them to pay. I'm sorry it's going to ruin your life, but that's what you chose to do."

She says her son is lucky to be alive, but that, as long as the attackers are still at large, other mothers' sons and daughters are still at risk.

Winn and LaGro's friends believe alcohol might be to blame in this attack. They hope to work with the University of Iowa and local businesses to find a way to stop the increasing number of assaults in the area.

If you have any information about the assault on LaGro or any of the other recent assaults in Iowa City, call police at 319-356-5276.

Email Josh Hinkle at Josh.Hinkle@kcrg.com