An antisemitic attack on a 68-year-old man walking home from a Lauderhill synagogue Saturday afternoon sent the victim to the hospital and landed the attacker in jail.
The victim, whose name was not released, was walking on the 6400 block of NW 44 Street in the clothing of an Orthodox Jew when a stranger started hitting him in the face and yelling “you (expletive) Jew,” according to a complaint filed by the Lauderhill Police.
A driver pulled over and yelled for the attacker to stop. The attacker walked away. After the witness called 911, the victim returned to the synagogue and drove around with a security guard until they found the attacker.
Arrested was Trevor Rodney, 42, of Lauderhill, who is being held at the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail.
The victim suffered bruised eyes, minor abrasions to his face and severe abdominal pain. He was taken to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect gave a bizarre statement to the police, according to the affidavit:
“The suspect stated that he and the victim were walking towards each other on the sidewalk. They began ‘a dance’ to avoid each other. He claimed that words were exchanged and the victim’s ‘head was spinning in circles, blue cloud appeared over the victim’s head and he feared the victim would eat his face.’”
Rodney was charged with battery of a person 65 or older with evidence of prejudice.
“In light of this incident,” the police news release said, “it is reminded that we continuously strive to encourage a community that retains and promotes improved quality of life, where people of diverse cultural backgrounds peacefully interrelate.”
Anyone with information on the attack is asked to call the Lauderhill Police Department at 954-497-4700 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 (TIPS).