A 68-year-old woman was beaten senseless with a metal broom handle by a homeless man after she refused to set him up with her gardeners so he could sell them gardening tools.
Victim Susan Millett – from Sacramento, in the US state of California – said she was beaten after turning down her attacker, who wanted to set up a gardening equipment business.
She told local media after being treated in hospital: “I was in shock! I didn’t expect to be hit like that so violently.”
Police later seized suspect Adrian Gonzales, 21, and charged him with assault with a deadly weapon.
Newsflash obtained a statement from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office on 13th July, saying: “At approximately 12:15 P.M. on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call regarding an elderly woman that was attacked near an apartment complex on Fairview Court in North Sacramento. Deputies arrived on scene moments later and discovered a 68-year-old injured female.
“They determined a homeless subject, later identified as 21-year-old Adrian Gonzales, was riding a bicycle near the victim’s apartment when he engaged her in a verbal argument.
“It is unclear what led up to the argument, but Gonzales grabbed a broom with a metal handle and attempted to strike the victim in the head.
“The victim was able to put her hands up and protect her face but sustained injuries on her hands.
“She turned around to try and get away when Gonzales struck the victim several times in the back with the metal stick, causing injury.
“Gonzales then fled the area on a bicycle to a nearby park, where he was quickly located by responding Deputies.
“Gonzales was taken into custody without incident and arrested for PC 245 – Assault with a Deadly Weapon, PC 422 – Criminal Threats, and PC 368 – Elder Abuse.
“He is currently being held at the Sacramento County Main Jail and is ineligible for bail.”
The day before the attack, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s office had released footage of an outreach operation towards the homeless.
A statement on 12th July said: “The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) has conducted multiple operations this year, offering resources to homeless individuals and combating crime within the homeless community in Sacramento County.
“One recent operation resulted in 198 homeless individuals being contacted. All 198 persons were offered services to help them get off the streets, however, only 1 person accepted the resources.
“Sheriff Cooper is dedicated combating homelessness in Sacramento County and getting people the resources they need as well as making sure that our community is clean and safe.”
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counted approximately 582,000 Americans experiencing homelessness in 2022.
