Auburn, NY- Auburn city police are looking for the man who punched a 19-year-old with special needs at Walmart last weekend, police said.
Adam Wrana, father of the teen, said his son was with his in-laws and two stepsisters at Walmart when the assault occurred. Denzel, his son, has special needs and epilepsy, his dad said. His son has two black eyes and is awaiting further evaluation of his head injury, his dad said.
Auburn police Chief James T. Slayton told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard Slayton the teen was tossing quarters to his sister when a male walked in, pushed the teen against the wall and punched him.
“It’s just sickening,’' Wrana said “My son keeps to himself. He was just playing around tossing quarters to my stepdaughter, who is 10, when this happened.”
Officers are working with the family on the assault, which occurred about 3 p.m. Saturday at the store, at 297 Grant Ave. in Auburn.
Police have a still but blurry photograph of a female who got into a vehicle with the person of interest. Officers are working to get a clearer image that they can release to the public, Slayton said.
Wrana said he plans to press charges when the police identify a suspect.
Wrana, who was home at the time, said his son called him crying after the incident. Wrana then called police, who responded with an ambulance, which took Denzel to the hospital. He was evaluated for a head injury, but has since been released,, his dad said.
Denzel is traumatized by what happened, his father said.
No one called police or remained as a witness, Wrana said. He’s been sharing his story on social media in the hopes someone who saw the incident and will come forward.
Anyone with information can call 315-253-3231.
Elizabeth Doran covers education, suburban government and development, breaking news and more. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact her anytime at 315-470-3012 or email edoran@syracuse.com