An 81-year-old man, identified as Bradley French, is now stabilized after a brutal attack last Friday that left him with severe head injuries, the Duluth Police Department reported. The assault, which occurred in a home on Woodland Ave, resulted in the arrest of 43-year-old Lance Tolbert, who is facing pending charges of Attempted 1st Degree Murder.
The incident, which unfolded on the morning of May 24, prompted an urgent response from local law enforcement. Tolbert allegedly fled the scene, but was captured shortly after on Wallace Avenue and 7th Street, "He was detained without incident," according to the City of Duluth. It remains unclear what led to the violent confrontation between the two men, who were reportedly strangers to one another.
French, the elderly victim, was found in a bathroom and immediately taken to a local hospital, where he has since shown signs of recovery. As of the latest update, no additional details about his condition or the specifics of the assault have been released, as the investigation remains active.
Meanwhile, Tolbert remains in custody at St. Louis County Jail while the case unfolds. The community, stricken by the news, has been following the developments closely. The local authorities have not confirmed any motives or further connections between the victim and the assailant, "Currently, it is unknown if the victim and the suspect were known to each other, or what prompted the assault," the police statement said, as stated by the City of Duluth. For now, Duluth residents are left grappling with the random violence that shattered the tranquility of their neighborhood.
