When an 86-year-old man got into his vehicle on a Sunday morning in Edmonton, he was pinched by someone he didn’t know. Out of danger, he spent the last few days in the hospital.
The retired photographer enjoyed his Sunday morning stroll through downtown Edmonton. “He didn’t hurt anyone and he didn’t talk to anyone. He was just enjoying his day,” Jay Woolner, the victim’s son, told Global News.
“He was pushed and broke his hip,” he explains.
The elderly man underwent hip replacement surgery the following day. According to Woolner, the man was lucky because there happened to be two police officers nearby. They arrested the attacker immediately.
“According to the police [l’agresseur] “I thought my dad was a government agent watching him,” Woolner said.
The latter wants the Alberta government to make changes to intervene in the case of a person suffering from mental disorders or substance abuse problems.
“We have to protect our elders and our children,” Woolner says. He added that he no longer felt safe enough to walk around the city because of the incident.
Edmonton Police have charged 54-year-old Orian Blain Larose with aggravated assault. It is scheduled to be released on July 19th.
“[Mon père] is 86 years old. He deserves the right to go where he wants without fear of attack,” said Jay Woolner.