Elderly Man Critically Injured In Escondido Assault; Suspect Arrested

ESCONDIDO, CA — An Escondido man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempted murder after an assault that left an elderly man in critical condition, authorities said Thursday.

Officers responded at 2:14 p.m. Wednesday to a report of an assault in the area of East Mission Avenue and Buchanan Street in Escondido, according to the Escondido Police Department.

When officers arrived, they found an elderly man suffering from significant injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

A bystander who intervened in the attack was also injured, police said.

The suspect had fled the area before officers arrived, but police found a man matching his description near East Mission Avenue and Begonia Street. Police said he was positively identified and taken into custody.

Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of attempted murder.

Authorities asked anyone with information about the attack to call the department at 760-839-4722 or Detective Patrick Hand at 760-839-4985 and reference case number 26004339.