DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities have charged a 43-year-old man with first-degree attempted murder after he allegedly attacked an 81-year-old man with a hammer inside a grocery store restroom. The victim suffered serious injuries, including a skull fracture, broken hand, and multiple lacerations and puncture wounds, during the random and violent assault at Mount Royal Market.
According to a criminal complaint, the victim was using the restroom when the assailant, later identified as Lance Alexander Tolbert, emerged from a stall wielding a hammer. The elderly man was struck multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground. Tolbert then allegedly placed gloved fingers into the victim’s mouth before the two engaged in a struggle for the hammer.
The attack came to an end when another person entered the restroom, prompting Tolbert to flee the scene. First responders rushed the victim to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. The elderly man reported that he had never seen or interacted with his attacker prior to the incident.
Police apprehended Tolbert near the market shortly after the attack. Authorities observed blood on his clothing, face, and glasses, and recovered a hatchet from his belt. A blood-covered hammer was later discovered in the pocket of Tolbert’s jacket. The defendant opted not to provide a statement regarding the incident to law enforcement.
Investigators plan to conduct forensic tests on the weapons and clothing of both individuals involved in the assault in an effort to establish a connection between Tolbert and the attack. The victim continues to recover from his injuries as he receives medical care.
The motive behind the violent attack remains unclear, leaving the community shocked and concerned about the safety of its residents. As the legal proceedings unfold, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public safety and the need for community members to look out for one another in times of crisis.