69-year-old man found brutally beaten in Inglewood fighting for his life
His family was told he may not live much longer. Meanwhile, police are on the hunt for the person or persons response.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- A 69-year-old man remains hospitalized in critical condition after he was found severely injured near an Inglewood hotel, and investigators believe he may have been the victim of a brutal attack.
The incident happened on the evening of Oct. 22.
Police say Abelardo Rodriguez went to the store around 6 p.m. but never returned home.
"We assumed he was just going to take his walks because he takes walks a lot, and he just never came back," said his daughter Alicia Rodriguez. "We pretty much have to choose to see him suffer like that or just let him go. We're waiting for him to pass."
Abelardo was found lying on the sidewalk at the corner of Imperial Highway and Prairie Ave in front of a La Quinta hotel.
Firefighters-paramedics initially thought he had fallen since he uses a cane, but doctors told police his injuries were more consistent with those of an attack.
"[The doctor said] it appeared someone had attacked him and beat him," said Inglewood PD Capt. Neal Cochran.
Now, his family is distraught and seeking answers as Abelardo remains unresponsive at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
"When they checked him, they saw that he had like a black eye, multiple hits to the face, busted lip. They had to open his cranium to release inflammation," said Alicia.
Doctors told them there is a chance he could die soon. To make matters worse, the family is dealing with the tragedy on Rodriguez's birthday. He turned 69 on Thursday.
"It's very difficult to see him every day, suffering, fighting, but ... he's not going to win the fight, according to doctors," his wife said during a recent interview.
Police are currently investigating the incident and are searching the area for any cameras that may have captured what happened.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
"If anyone has seen something to please say something. Not only for us but for any other elderly person that's going to walk there too. You just never know," said Alicia.
Anyone with information is asked to call Inglewood Detective Marya Parente at (310) 412-5138.
