A Jacksonville grandfather who was brutally beaten during an armed carjacking is recovering.
The 66-year-old victim, whom we are not identifying for safety reasons, was attacked by four suspects at the Star Wash car wash on Lem Turner Road Wednesday night.
Action News Jax spoke to a woman who is related to the victim.
She asked that we conceal her identity since two suspects are still at large.
MORE: Jacksonville carjacking suspect shot and killed by officer, victim recovering
She said the victim suffered facial fractures, including a broken bone under his eye, and needed stitches. She said he is in stable condition but is very shaken up.
“No one deserves that,” the woman said. “It’ll take some time to get over, but we’ll manage.”
We’re learning new details about the armed carjacking at this car wash. The 66 y/o victim told police he was in one of the bays washing screens when he was approached by 4 suspects. He says the suspects waited for the lights to go out to make their move. pic.twitter.com/p72rYWiTpW
— Christy Turner (@ChristyANJax) November 1, 2018
She said one of the suspects pointed a gun at the victim’s chest. She said he put up a fight because he was thinking about his family.
“That’s what kept him fighting, making sure he came home to us,” the woman said.
The family said the victim goes to the same car wash weekly. They said they aren’t sure if the victim was being scoped out by the suspects or if it was a random attack.
According to the report, the victim told police the suspects approached him when the lights went out at the car wash.
Police said the suspects stole the victim’s truck, cellphone, wallet and $250.
The victim’s vehicle was later found at the Hilltop Apartments. Police pursued the suspects, shooting and killing one of them.
He was identified as 24-year-old Tony Bernard Smith Jr., a known gang member with a lengthy criminal history.
Another suspect is behind bars. Officer said Jamal Bernard Lincoln was in possession of the victim's cellphone and was linked to the crime.
There are two outstanding suspects. Police have not released their descriptions.
Cox Media Group
