Man Throwing Out Trash Has Jaw Broken In Random Attack
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 64-year-old man was brutally beaten while taking out his trash in the Bronx.
The incident happened on Friday afternoon on East 167th Street near Boston Road in the Morrisania section of the borough, police said. CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas spoke to the victim's family about what happened.
Police blurred Gerald McMillan's face in released surveillance video. The 64-year-old had no idea the suspect was walking up behind him as he was taking out his trash. The video stops right before the suspect throws the first punch.
"I don't know him. My father doesn't know him. He's stated that repeatedly. He doesn't understand why he would be targeted this way," said Joy McMillan, the victim's daughter.
Joy McMillan said she was home on Friday just after 12:30 p.m., minutes after the attack. Police said the suspect punched and kicked Gerald McMillan multiple times before running away.
"Blood was covered all over his face. He could barely talk. He said, 'My tooth is shifted. Something is wrong,'" Joy McMillan said.
It's much worse. His jaw is fractured.
"I tell you it is just so scary because his face was totally decimated. It was just horrible," said Evelyn McMillan, the victim's wife.
To make matters worse, the victim plays the trumpet and his family said it makes his injuries even more devastating.
"That's key, the mouth ... I'm just telling him, listen, heal and get better," Evelyn McMillan said.
Gerald McMillan is a father of four. His family describes him as a classic old-school gentleman.
"In a matter of five minutes he goes to take out the garbage and he comes back ... it's just ... it's just horrible, broad daylight," Evelyn McMillan said.
On Friday, he was a target and his family wants to know who did this.
Gerald McMillan had oral surgery on Sunday morning. He remains hospitalized.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting them to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.