Houston, Texas – Two men have been arrested and are currently in custody at the Harris County Jail after a video surfaced showing them attacking a 67-year-old man who suffers from Alzheimer’s and dementia. The suspects, Trayvon Lockridge and Deroderic Stephens, are facing charges of aggravated robbery for the assault.
The victim, Florentino Hurtado, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago, and his family has been providing constant care for him. On the day of the incident, Florentino and his wife had gone to a meat market near Tidwell in the 5900 block of North Shepherd. While his wife went inside to purchase an ingredient, Florentino, who was disoriented as a result of his condition, unintentionally approached the wrong car and was subsequently attacked by Lockridge and Stephens.
Surveillance footage revealed the brutal assault where the two men repeatedly punched and stomped on Florentino’s head, leaving him with multiple injuries including a broken cheekbone, cuts requiring stitches, a possible traumatic brain injury, and a black eye. The attackers also took his cell phone before leaving the scene.
Jessica, the victim’s daughter, expressed her distress at the aggression her father faced, emphasizing that he didn’t deserve such treatment. She mentioned that her father’s moment of clarity in the hospital after the attack was short-lived, as he has since been unable to remember the incident.
Lockridge, with no prior offenses, was given a $50,000 bond, although the state had initially requested a $1 million bond. Stephens, who has five pending cases in addition to the current charge, is awaiting the decision on his bond.
The family’s ordeal sheds light on the challenges faced by those dealing with Alzheimer’s and the vulnerability of older individuals. The severity of the attack underscores the need for greater awareness and understanding in dealing with individuals with cognitive impairments, to ensure their safety and well-being.