After a harrowing incident at North Star Mall, San Antonio police have apprehended 31-year-old Daymein Garcia, accused of brutalizing an 81-year-old man by hurling him down an escalator. Following the January attack, which left the elderly victim with serious injuries including head trauma and internal bleeding, an intense search ensued, leading to Garcia's arrest on charges of serious bodily injury to the elderly. As reported by KENS 5, Garcia is currently detained at the Travis County jail, awaiting extradition to Bexar County jail.
The attack, which unfolded on January 27 at a Dillard's store within the mall, began with a misunderstanding in a dressing room that led to unexpected violence. The elderly man, under the assumption that a dressing room was vacant, opened the door only to find it occupied, subsequently, he excused himself and found another room to try on apparel. News 4 San Antonio detailed that the initial misunderstanding spiraled when the occupant, a girl, informed her mother and another man – presumably Garcia – of the encounter. This trio is accused of then locating the elderly man, leading to his assault on the escalator.
The crime, captured in chilling detail by surveillance footage, shows Garcia approaching the elderly man from behind and forcefully thrusting him down the metal steps. The fall was catastrophic, resulting in lacerations, a broken finger, and bruising on his ribs. According to KENS 5, surveillance video revealed the brutal nature of the assault, heightening the urgency of the search for the assailant.
In the wake of the attack, Detective Rodney Franklin described the dressing room mix-up, saying, "He thought it was empty... a handicap changing room." News 4 San Antonio reported on Franklin's briefing, where he explained that after realizing his mistake, the elderly victim opted for another changing space, unaware of the grave repercussions that would follow. The female suspect, also implicated in the crime, was captured in the surveillance footage overlooking the victim after Garcia had committed the assault.
