March 2, 2023
CHICAGO, IL—The African-American man accused of sucker punching a then-91-year-old man in Chinatown back in 2018 was found guilty on Wednesday.
Alexander Taylor was found guilty of aggravated battery of a victim over 60 and aggravated battery in a public place, according to ABC7 Chicago.
The victim now has permanent brain damage.
An off-duty police sergeant witnessed the assault take place back in September 2018. The then-45-year-old Taylor struck 91-year-old Yen Jit Wong as he walked down Wentworth Avenue near 24th Street.
“He was ranting, wild, violent hand gestures, screaming at the sky, the sidewalk,” Sgt. Bazarek recalled. “As I thought that to myself, I saw this guy strike out at the elderly Asian male, knocking him right to the pavement.”
Stuck in traffic, Bazarek called for backup on his cellphone while civilians at the scene rushed to Wong’s aid, reports ABC7 Chicago.
“When I saw that I had help coming to back me, I cut him off, told him he was under arrest, get his hands in the air, he complied, still ranting,” he recalled.
Family members of Mr. Wong said he hit his head on the ground and had bleeding around his brain as well as a broken collarbone. Wong was attacked on his way home after having lunch with his son.
The 91-year-old victim was treated in intensive care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He is still undergoing physical therapy and remains on a feeding tube.
Upon arrival at police lockup, Taylor spat on a government official through the bars of his jail cell and then smeared feces on the door and walls. This caused authorities to place him on a psychiatric hold at Mt. Sinai Hospital.
Taylor has a history of violence against others, including a class X attempted murder charge on his record and a 2006 conviction of aggravated battery, according to ABC7 Chicago.
Taylor is due back in court on March 28.
Feature Images via Chicago Police Department & YouTube