RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — A 60-year-old man was seriously injured Monday night in a violent attack as he was out riding an electric bicycle.
According to Rancho Cordova police, it happened around 6:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Zinfandel Drive near Italia Way, and the call initially came in as a bicycle hit by a car.
Upon arrival, officers found the victim, a 60-year-old man, had not been hit by a car but had been assaulted. He was taken to the hospital in grave condition.
Sgt. Rod Grassmann, spokesman for the police department, said the man was attacked by 42-year-old James Hall, a homeless man known to frequent the area.
"He was, unprovoked, ambushed by a homeless individual, an adult male, who frequents that park. He approached him in an ambush style, hit him in the head with a machete causing catastrophic damaged to his skull and to his face," said Grassmann.
The victim kept riding his bike but eventually fell off.
About two hours after the attack, the sheriff’s office communications center was called by a family member concerned their loved one left for a bike ride and never returned. The Cordova Lane Center briefly went on lockdown Tuesday morning as detectives searched for evidence.
Grassmann said the victim is in grave condition and isn't likely to survive the attack.
"Our deepest sympathies go the family of that victim. My understanding is that he has a grave condition and that he is not going to survive... They're going to have to make some very touch choices here and we certainly feel for them," said Grassmann.
Hall is still on the run and is considered armed and dangerous. He was described as a white man, standing at 5'5" and weighing 170 pounds with dark hair and brown eyes. Police said he was last seen wearing pants and a hooded sweatshirt.
Authorities said he is known to frequent Sacramento and Rancho Cordova and is considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information can call the Rancho Cordova Police Department. If Hall is seen, authorities say you should call 911.
"This was an unprovoked attack. He could do this to somebody else. While he did leave his weapon at the crime scene, we don't know that he doesn't have others," said Grassmann.
