A 70-year-old Williams Lake man is recovering in hospital from what appears to be a violent, unprovoked attack in the city last night, say police.
Staff Sgt. Del Byron is calling the incident "brutal" and "alarming."
Early reports from witnesses indicate the victim was at the three-way intersection of Broadway Avenue and Highway 97 near the Husky Gas Station at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night when the attack occurred.
The witness told police they saw a passing motorist stop, yell at the elderly man then violently beat him about the head and face. The man was left on the side of the road bleeding profusely as the suspect sped off northbound on Highway 97, said Byron.
A passing motorist stopped to render assistance and call police.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian man who "looked like a skateboarder type," driving a small hatchback car.
The only information the victim was able to tell police at the time was that he remembers being yelled at then he was knocked down and kicked in the face.
“This report is extremely alarming to us, and we are committed to putting all necessary resources into finding the person or persons responsible," said Byron. "Although this attack appears to be random in nature, I can also confirm at this time that it is appears to be an isolated occurrence and the public is not at risk."
The Williams Lake RCMP are reaching out to the public in order to obtain more evidence regarding this brutal assault.
If you were near this intersection prior to the time of the report, or may have seen the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene, please contact the Williams Lake RCMP at 250-392-6211 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (tips).