While Louis Estrada remains hospitalized with brain damage from a savage attack, his father Johnny Castillo is constantly by his side providing encouragement.
“The one thing I say over and over … I want you to see yourself walking and talking, and eating, and playing your games,” said Castillo.
The 28-year-old San Diego City College graduate’s life was forever changed on April 25, when Castillo says his son was beaten by a neighborhood transient making noise in the alley outside their City Heights apartment off 42nd Street.
“My son came out to ask him to leave. I mean, we went back inside. They had a couple words. We thought it was done. And five minutes later, we’re looking for him, and a car comes down the alley, says there’s a body in the alley. We find our son in a very bad way,” said Castillo.
After mom helped track down the suspected attacker, court records show a 41-year-old man was arrested on attempted first degree murder and assault charges that doctors didn’t expect Louis to survive.
“He wasn’t supposed to make it a day, he wasn’t supposed to make it three. And here we are, two weeks. He’s still here. I believe in a powerful God,” said Castillo.
Family describes Louis as a dog lover and gamer.
They say he was transitioning to becoming a plumber, but dreams of drawing anime for a living.
For now, as anyone can see from the pictures on Louis’ online fundraising page, the family’s focus is on his health and getting justice.
The 41-year-old suspect is scheduled to have another court hearing in June.
Castillo says it’s a competency hearing that has family worried justice may be harder to come by.
“We’re suffering. My son is suffering. You know, an entire family is suffering. So, it’s a difficult time, you know, ” said Castillo.
Louis’ parents say the attack is so traumatizing they can’t bear staying in their apartment. They’re hoping they can find another first-floor home that will fit Louis’ needs.