MIAMI – A 45-year-old Miami man is facing a felony battery charge after he brutally beat his elderly neighbor as the victim waited at a bus stop for a ride to an early voting location, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The incident occurred on Monday at a bus bench along Southwest 22nd Avenue and Ninth Street, just minutes before the 79-year-old victim, Inoel Felipe, a retired physician, was scheduled to vote at the nearby Shenandoah Branch Library.
Authorities said Felipe suffered multiple injuries during the attack, including a fractured hand, a swollen lip and a concussion.
“I have a fracture,” he said pointing to his hand when speaking to Local 10 News on Wednesday. “He hits me and hits me. I fell, then he hit me again in my face.”
Felipe claims at one point during the assault, he lost consciousness but credited a good Samaritan who intervened by honking their horn, ultimately scaring off his attacker.
Details of the attack
Authorities said surveillance video shows Yendry Sanchez approaching Felipe and delivering a sudden sucker punch, followed by repeated blows and a kick to the face.
A Miami police officer testified during a bond court hearing that Sanchez displayed a nonchalant demeanor when apprehended.
“He was nonchalant like nothing ever happened — no apology,” the officer stated.
Sanchez, who is Felipe’s next-door neighbor, allegedly claimed that he became aggravated when the elderly man left their apartment, prompting him to follow and attack.
“I don’t know why — he’s quite young. I don’t know why he would do this,” Felipe told Local 10 News.
A community response
Thanks to the quick action of the good Samaritan, who alerted others with honking and yelling, authorities said Sanchez fled the scene before police arrived.
Miami Police Officer Mike Vega acknowledged the crucial role of the passerby, stating, “We see that the suspect in this case walks up to him and sucker punches him once again and then kicks him in the face and the only thing that stopped him from continuing is that a good Samaritan starting beeping and yelling at him and made him run away from him.”
In bond court, a judge noted that because the attack involved an elderly victim, it is classified as a first-degree felony, which comes with significant penalties. Sanchez was denied bail and will face further legal proceedings.
A woman who answered the apartment door for Sanchez did not wish to comment when approached by Local 10′s Christina Vazquez.
In bond court Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer also noted the severity of the charges.
“Because aggravated battery on a person over 65 is considered a dangerous crime, it is a first-degree felony,” Glazer stated before denying Sanchez bail.
“We are glad that we have him in custody,” Vega said. “We are glad that they denied him bond and that he will face justice for this.”