WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A man is recovering after being randomly beaten by two other men in front of Romeo and Juliet's shop early Tuesday morning, Winston-Salem police say.
Officers received an 'unknown trouble' call to North Cherry St. shortly after midnight.
Officers found 60-year-old Benjamin Garcia suffering from extensive injuries on his face and body. EMS responded to the scene and took him to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators discovered Garcia was beaten with a blunt object that was found at the scene.
Due to his injuries, officers were only able to get a brief statement from Garcia on the circumstances surrounding his assault. He said two men assaulted him for no reason.
Romeo and Juliet's store associate, Hanna Hudson found out about the attack when she got to work Tuesday morning.
“It was a little overwhelming and when they told me what happened it was really sad, it was very sad and I wish the best luck to the man and his family," said Hudson.
Hudson also says the store plans to increase security because of the attack.
"I believe we’re going to put some more cameras up to be more cautious," Hudson explained.
Winston-Salem Mayor, Allen Joins is calling on the community to help find the two men who sent Garcia to the hospital.
“We are looking for help from the citizens to help solve this and anybody that’s got any camera footage of this that they would like to make available, and we can do it anonymously people don’t have to tell us who they are, it would be a big help to us if they’ve got any film," said Joins.
According to Joins, the police department is short 140 officers. Therefore, they're depending on community assistance.
WFMY News 2's Hannah Jeffries reviewed security footage from the gas station beside the store where the attack was. The camera did not pick up any of the attack.
Police say Garcia is in critical, but stable condition.
This investigation is ongoing.
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