LAUDERDALE LAKES, FLA. (WSVN) - Sunrise Police arrested a 34-year-old man in connection with the assault on an elderly man outside a Lauderdale Lakes Walmart.
The attack occurred just before 10 a.m. on Oct. 11, and Joseph McFadden was taken into custody on Friday, Nov. 17, near the 3300 block of North University Drive in Sunrise, according to detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit.
Surveillance video captured the disturbing incident as the elderly man exited the Walmart at 3001 N. State Road 7. McFadden, described as a tall and thin male wearing a navy sweater with grey lettering, black pants, and flip flops, punched the victim in the face without provocation. The attacker then fled on foot, heading north towards Oakland Park Boulevard.
“First time he hit me, right here,” said victim Deleus Simeon, pointing his fist under his left eye, on his upper cheek. “And the second time on the nose, third time, nose again. He just coming at me, and ‘Boom, boom, boom.’ Three times and I fell on the floor.”
Simeon told 7News that he lost vision in his left eye and can’t hear well after the attack.
“I got punched really hard, I don’t see good. This one, you see? Blood coming out this one,” he explained.
The victim told 7News that all he wanted was for his attacker to be arrested and put in jail.
Detectives confirmed that the victim, who sustained minor injuries, did not know McFadden, and no altercation or theft occurred between them. The motive behind the assault remains unclear.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for McFadden’s arrest. He now faces one count of aggravated battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
McFadden faced a judge who prohibited him from having contact with the victim and returning to the Walmart location. He remains in the Broward County Jail on a $10,000 bond hold.
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