Man, 73, beaten unconscious at Tacoma’s Titlow Beach. Police are seeking information
A 73-year-old man required surgery after he was beaten unconscious by a group of people at Titlow Beach, Tacoma police say.
The man was photographing a Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office van parked in the 8800 block of 6th Avenue on July 31. The van was in the area because the office was looking into a death that happened some time that day, Tacoma Police Department’s detective William Muse told The News Tribune this week.
Muse said the man was taking a picture of the van to show how it blocked the street. As he was taking the picture, a young woman appeared and started yelling at him. She then began assaulting him.
Her friends saw what was happening and began to assault the man with her. They knocked the man unconscious during the attack, Muse said.
“All I remember is a body coming at me,” the man told Q-13 FOX News for a story it aired Sept. 11. “I got my head kicked six times, I think it was.”
TPD and Tacoma Fire Department were dispatched at 8:36 p.m. after a witness called 911, he said.
The man had surgery after the incident, Muse said. A motive remains unconfirmed. Muse said the person who initiated the assault might have assumed the man was taking photos of her.
Muse said the person who initiated the assault could be a juvenile. Another person who was part of the group that attacked the man could be a juvenile.
If someone believes they are being recorded or photographed without their permission, Muse said, they should not resort to violence but can call 911.
Muse said police would like the public’s assistance in identifying the initial attacker or having her turn herself into the police.
If anyone has further information on the incident or suspects, they can call the Tacoma Police Department or leave a tip at Crime Stoppers.
