Authorities in California say an 18-year-old man is in custody after brutally beating an 88-year-old woman in a park in San Francisco’s Visitacion Valley neighborhood on Jan. 8, before breaking into her home across the street.
Police identified the suspect as 18-year-old Keonte Gathron, He was arrested in San Francisco after committing another robbery.
San Francisco Police officers responded to a residence on the 1000 block of Visitacion Avenue. A witness reported seeing an unknown male suspect exit the residence from an interior staircase then walks eastbound on Visitacion Avenue.
Moments later, an 88-year-old female suffering from severe head injuries was located in a park across the street. The victim was transported to the hospital and still being treated for life-threatening injuries including fractured ribs, shattered facial bones, and a fractured spine.
A San Francisco Police Chief William Scott released this statement:
"San Francisco Police Department investigators worked tirelessly to identify a suspect in this case. This is an ongoing investigation and we will have further details to follow later in the week. But we want to express our gratitude to neighbors and leaders in the Visitacion Valley community who worked closely with our investigators to address this act of senseless violence."
The family is seeking donations to help with her mounting medical expenses.
San Francisco Police said although an arrest has been made in the attack, anyone with related information is asked to come forward to authorities or call the San Francisco Police Department at 415-575-4444.
