A 72-year-old blind man was brutally beat in San Diego by an assailant who also stabbed two Good Samaritans as they attempted to intervene.

The seemingly unprovoked attack unfolded Tuesday evening along a bustling sidewalk in Mission Valley’s popular shopping district, NBC Los Angeles reported.

The 35-year-old suspect, James Thomas, stole the elderly victim’s mobility cane and then began to hit him with it, leaving him with a skull fracture and brain bleed, police said Wednesday. He was also stabbed with a sharp object multiple times.

A couple strolling by spotted the altercation and attempted to break up the violence, further stoking Thomas’ anger. Police said the pair, a 57-year-old woman and her 60-year-old husband, were also stabbed in the chaos.

The female bystander sustained several puncture wounds to her back while her husband and the blind victim were struck in several spots, including the head, upper torso, arms and shoulder. Police noted that their injuries were so severe some of the victims were not expected to survive, prompting homicide detectives to respond to the scene.

As of Thursday, all three appear likely to overcome their injuries.

Another witness on the scene called 911 and provided a description of the suspect, who was quickly located by San Diego police on a nearby bike path. Thomas, reportedly transient, allegedly fled down the street but then sat down on the ground before he was taken into custody.

Thomas was booked into the San Diego County jail on three counts of attempted murder. He also had an outstanding felony warrant.



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