Florida man arrested for allegedly beating up 68-year-old because of his Jewish background

Authorities in Broward County, Florida, have arrested a suspect who is accused of beating up an elderly Jewish man after yelling a racial slur at him.

According to police in Lauderhill, the attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim, who was not identified by name, told police that he had just left services at his local synagogue when he was suddenly jumped by a man who was identified by police as Trevor Rodney. The victim told police that he had never met the man before and did not recognize him but that the man yelled a "racial slur" at him during the attack. According to the Sun-Sentinel, the victim was dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish clothing at the time of the attack.

Police say that the victim suffered "bruised eyes, several minor abrasions on the face, and severe body pain." The attack might have been much worse if not for a passerby, who saw the attack occurring and pulled over to yell at Rodney, who then fled the scene. The passerby then called police, who responded to the situation.

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Rodney reportedly told police that he saw the victim's head "spinning in circles, a blue cloud appear over the victim's head and he feared that the victim would eat his face." Rodney was booked into the Broward Sheriff's Office Main Jail, where he was charged with battery of a person 65 years of age or older.

The victim was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and released that same day.

Lauderhill police issued a statement saying, "In light of this incident, it is reminded that we continuously strive to encourage a community that retains and promotes improved quality of life, where people of diverse cultural backgrounds peacefully interrelate."