A 69-year-old man remains hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday after a brutal assault near his home in Escondido, California, with police charging a 32-year-old suspect with attempted murder.
Escondido police responded at 2:15 p.m. to reports of an assault in progress near East Mission Avenue and Buchanan Street. Officers discovered the victim with severe injuries and arrested Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, who was taken into custody without bail at Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County.
The Assault and Arrest
The victim was transported to a trauma center where he remains in the intensive care unit. A utility worker who witnessed the attack intervened and helped restrain the suspect until police arrived at the scene.
Butler fled the location following the assault but was located and apprehended shortly after. The bystander who assisted during the confrontation also sustained injuries during the encounter.
Family’s Prognosis
The victim’s wife, Maria Garcia, told CBS 8 that she does not expect her husband to survive his injuries. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather additional details about the incident.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital Team contributed to this report.
