Surveillance photo
A 70-year-old Somerton man answered a knock at his door one evening last week only to wind up with a major knock on his head.
Police are trying to identify two alleged attackers, one of whom used a metal baton to bash the unsuspecting senior citizen on the noggin. Surveillance video of the incident has been posted on the Philadelphia Police Department’s YouTube channel.
The assault occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 on the 800 block of Welton St. The surveillance video shows the two suspects knocking on the front door of a home and waiting at the stoop for close to a minute. Eventually, the door opens and the victim can be seen in the doorway. Just then, one of the intruders pushes the victim back into the home, while his accomplice — who was earlier seen carrying a dark wand behind his back — also enters the property.
Police say that one of the attackers struck the victim on the head with the weapon, causing a skull fracture and heavy brain bleeding. When officers arrived, the man was “barely conscious,” police said. He was taken to Aria Health’s Torresdale campus in critical condition. Police have not provided updates to the victim’s condition.
Police have not disclosed a suspected motive for the beating. They did not describe any possessions that may have been stolen from the victim.
The attackers fled the area before police arrived. One was described as white, in his mid 30s, six feet tall, 230 pounds, with a beard, light-colored knit hat, light-colored hoodie and blue jeans. He was armed with a dark metal baton.
The second suspect was described as white, 55 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, with dark hair, a light-colored zip-up jacket and blue jeans.
Visit the Philadelphia Police channel on YouTube.com to view surveillance video. Call 215–686-TIPS or text to PPD TIP to report information. ••
