Elderly Arizona man beaten to death by teens in Virginia

A week ago, George Leroy Baker, 81, of Tempe, AZ was in Lynchburg for his grand daughter’s wedding when was attacked by a group of teenagers, while out on an evening walk in the downtown area. Police found the man unconscious on the sidewalk.

Baker died the next day in Lynchburg General Hospital.

Kenneth Davis and Vernon Jackson, both 16, and an unnamed 13-year-old were arrested Tuesday, and charged with murder.

Court documents indicate that Davis was trying to impress a group of girls, telling them that he would hit the next person he saw.

Witnesses report seeing him run up to the octogenarian “in an aggressive manner” and punch him. The blow was so severe, it was actually audible to many of those present.

He continued to kick Baker as he lay on the ground.

The affidavit states: “A witness dining at the Hash House saw a young black male kick the victim in the face after he had already been knocked to the ground. The victim was unconscious upon bystanders coming to his aid.”

Lynchburg Police Capt. Todd Swisher told the News and Advance: “This seems to be an unprovoked, random violent act. What a tragic event.”

The murder threatens to stoke racial tensions in Lynchburg, as many believe the attack was at least in partâ€"racially motivated.

On Friday, local black leaders gathered near the site of the beating to express their sorrow for what happened, but claimed the deadly assault had nothing to do with race.

Providence Place pastor James Coleman said: “It could have been any one of us that happened along that night. And had the victim been an elderly African-American and the perpetrators three white youths, we would still be standing here today.”  

Powered By iWebRSS.comsee justice served immigration news