A man was beaten nearly to death outside his Escondido home, which is decorated in pro-President Donald Trump memorabilia and may have been the motive for the attack, his wife said.
Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, was arrested on an attempted murder charge in connection with the assault on Kerry Sheron near East Mission Avenue and Buchanan Street around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Escondido Police Department said. A bystander who tried to intervene was also injured.
When police arrived, they found Sheron suffering from significant injuries. He was hospitalized and remains there in critical condition.
The Escondido Police Department is still investigating what led to the incident, but Sheron’s wife, Maria, believes her Army Veteran husband was attacked for his politics. They’ve received threats before but this is the first time it’s turned violent.
Security video obtained by NBC 7 from across the street shows the altercation. The bystander told NBC 7 the homeowner was standing in the front yard when the suspect came up and attacked him. The witness tried to intervene before the suspect fled on foot before officers arrived.
Police located a man matching his description a few blocks away near East Mission and Begonia. Police said he was “positively identified” by witnesses before his arrest.
Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the attack to call the EPD at 760-839-4722 or Det. Patrick Hand at 760-839-4985.