A 76-year-old disabled Army veteran is speaking out after he says he was attacked inside a Golden Corral restaurant in Hialeah and claims police have yet to make progress in the case.
Surveillance video captured the incident, which occurred last month, showing the elderly man being shoved and thrown to the ground by two younger men. The victim, identified as Al Hernandez, says he suffered injuries to his arm and back during the encounter.
“I am 76 years old, and unfortunately, I don’t take a punch as well as I did when I was 26 or 36,” Hernandez said. “So he basically knocked me to the ground.”
Hernandez serves as commander of the Miami chapter of a disabled veterans group. He said members were gathering at the restaurant for their regular monthly meeting, something they have done for years. However, on this occasion, a power outage had forced the restaurant to close to the general public, according to Hernandez.
Hernandez told NBC6 the staff allowed only the veterans group to enter despite the closure as a kind gesture since the restaurant is a sponsor.
Hernandez said the confrontation began when he tried to inform arriving customers that the restaurant was temporarily closed.
“I explained to him the restaurant was closed due to the power outage and showed him the sign on the door,” he said. “He became indignant with me and asked what I was doing there.”
According to Hernandez, the situation quickly escalated. He said the men continued and pushed past him.
“When I tried to close the door, he tried to walk past me,” Hernandez said. “I put my arm up to stop him, and at that point he and another guy charged me, got me up against the wall, and the second guy punched me and knocked me to the ground.”
Hernandez reported the incident to Hialeah Police and said a report was taken. However, he claims that despite multiple follow-up calls over the past month, he has not received any updates on the investigation.
“I am a disabled American veteran, 76 years old,” he said. “These young guys violently attacked me. If they will do it to me, they will do it to anybody.”
Hernandez said he wants authorities to fully investigate the case and hold those responsible accountable.
NBC6 reached out to Hialeah Police and provided the case number but has not yet received a response.
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Source: nbcmiami
