An elderly man was knocked out outside a Walgreens store in Dania Beach on Fourth of July, and the person behind the violent blows remained on the run, police said.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video Monday which shows the violent encounter between Anthony DePaul, 68, and another man, who was walking with a child.
The victim's son, Armany DePaul, said he was worried when his father never came home the day of the attack.
"I am shocked and like stunned, like, how did this happen? Just like, why did it happen?" said Armany.
The incident happened at the front doors of the Walgreens on the 200 block of S. Federal Highway. Around 7:30 p.m., DePaul parked near the entrance of the store before walking to the front doors where the suspect and a young boy stood, BSO said.
Footage shows the two men exchange words and the suspect appears to tell the young boy to step aside before he punches the 68-year-old in the face. The man punches the elderly man several times until the victim falls to the ground, video shows.
The suspect walked away with the young boy and drove off in a red or copper, two-door sedan, possibly a Pontiac, according to police. The car has tinted windows and a sunroof.
Detectives believe the attack was triggered by an incident in the parking lot.
"It looks like when the victim was trying to pull into the Walgreens parking lot, the suspect vehicle zipped around the vehicle that was waiting; it kind of almost caused, like a standstill. Everybody was at a standstill," said Det. Kasia Wlodarczyk. "Then the suspect vehicle decided to zip around the victim's vehicle. So it looks like nothing more than just almost just a traffic jam in a regular parking lot that caused the whole thing."
DePaul was unconscious as witnesses called for help. He was rushed to the hospital with a broken jaw and brain hemorrhage. The 68-year-old remained sedated and in critical condition.
"He's got damage to his brain stem, frontal lobes, brain bleeding, skull fracture," the victim's son said.
Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.
