A brutal assault on a sleeping elderly woman has rocked the Cooper-Young neighborhood in Memphis, Tennessee. According to Action News 5, the Memphis Police Department is investigating the vicious attack, which took place early morning on July 5 outside of Las Margaritas restaurant on South Cooper Street. Surveillance footage showed a male assailant striking the 68-year-old woman with a garbage can lid before making off with her backpack.
The victim, caught off-guard while sleeping on a bench, was hurried to the hospital with multiple injuries. A local resident, James T. Williams, who claims to be the victim's friend, told Action News 5, "I would have knocked him out myself, it was a shame that they hit that old lady, she is a friend of mine and you never know the situation you could be in." The suspect, still at large, was last observed fleeing eastbound on Young Avenue towards East Parkway.
Described as "evil" by community members, the act of violence has shattered the sense of security in the neighborhood, known for being one of the safer areas in the city. "It's one of the safest places in Memphis," Christian Mays, a local employee, expressed to FOX13. "So, I'm shocked something like this could happen in this neighborhood."
Police have released images of the suspect, who was last seen adorned in a blue hat with the Texas state flag, a black and white striped long-sleeved shirt, khaki pants, and black and white shoes. The footage, obtained by the local restaurant, showed what appeared to be the unprovoked assault with the metal lid of a trash can. "That was just evil, that's all I'm saying," Mays continued. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to reach out to CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH, as noted in a FOX13 report.
