Vicious sucker punch caught on video in Texas
ROSENBERG, Texas -- A man in the Houston area is seen on video walking up to a random stranger from behind and throwing a vicious punch that knocked him to the ground and sent him to the hospital.
The victim was severely injured, spending several nights in a nearby hospital, police said.
The attack happened in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg. Police have identified the suspect as 18-year-old Alejandro Maldonado.
Maldonado was going to turn himself in, but ended up cutting off communication with police instead. Now Rosenberg police are hoping the release of the video will force him to come in.
Maldonado is wanted for aggravated assault.
The force of the punch knocked the 30-year-old victim's baseball cap from his head, and he is seen in the video laid out face down on the concrete after the attack.
Police said the video is callous and cruel, which is why they are trying to get this video out there so he will turn himself in.
Maldonado and the victim were walking out of Ruchi's Mexican Grill when the assault occurred. Police said they do not think Maldonado knew his victim.
It appears this might be part of the viral video trend online known as the "Knockout Game," and investigators said they don't want other teens getting any ideas.
"You think it's a game, your friends might peer pressure you into doing something, and it's a serious offense, it's a felony, it's an aggravated assault," Rosenberg Police Lt. Chad Pino said. "In this case, he sustained some serious injuries, and it's not a game. It's not going to be funny when you're in prison."
The Rosenberg Police Department said your tip on Maldonado's whereabouts could earn you a reward.
If you know where Maldonado is, you should call Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS or Detective Mehling at 832-595-3814.
