OLATHE, Kan. (TCN) — A man has been charged with aggravated battery after allegedly attacking an elderly woman with a hammer in a supermarket parking lot.
On Nov. 30, the Olathe Police Department responded to reports of an armed disturbance involving a blunt-force object in the parking lot of Whole Foods. When officers arrived on the scene, they arrested Christopher Brewer, 50. He was charged with aggravated battery.
Court documents obtained by KCTV say that the victim, an 85-year-old woman, was being protected by good Samaritans, but the attack was so brutal her nasal bone was visible. She was on the ground with bruising and lacerations when officers arrived.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Yahoo News, the woman underwent surgery for facial fractures and deep lacerations at a local hospital and was then admitted to the ICU.
A witness described hearing a woman scream and getting between her and the attacker, who allegedly seemed calm and was repeatedly saying, “I’m a person too,” and “You don’t know what you’re doing” until police officers arrived, according to Yahoo News. During that time, other bystanders stepped in to help the woman.
Before being read his Miranda rights, KCTV reports Brewer allegedly told officers, “Can I at least, like, say something as a person? My name is Chris, but I hit someone today and I don’t know more. That’s what I would like to say, and at some point in time, could I find out what happened to him because I, I need to talk about that.”
KCTV reports that marijuana and a pipe were found on Brewer’s person. He was taken into custody and is being held on a $35,000 bond. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11.
