An Arizona man is charged with felony aggravated assault for an alleged “unprovoked” attack on a stranger. Cops say he grabbed the victim from behind and “completely removed” their eyeball from the eye socket after the victim asked the suspect, “How are you doing?”
“The victim stated that during this incident he was in fear for his life and safety, believing that Daniel could have killed him,” police allege in court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate KSAZ.
The documents outline the charges against Daniel Lanks, 39, who is accused of carrying out the attack on Monday, April 14, near 48th Street and Broadway Road, according to the station.
“The attack was completely unprovoked, and he did not threaten Daniel, challenge him, and did not have any form of weapons to be perceived as a threat,” the court papers state, according to KSAZ. Lanks allegedly pummelling the victim with punches to the face after removing his eyeball, resulting in a fractured jaw.
“The victim stated this loss of the use of his right eye and fractured jaw will forever impact his quality of life and is unsure if he will be able to work again or perform many basic life functions,” according to the charging paperwork.
Lanks was allegedly near a shop at Broadway and 48th Street when the victim approached him around 1 a.m. on Monday, according to KSAZ and AZFamily.
The victim allegedly asked him, “How are you doing?”
According to police, Lanks responded by telling the man that he would “whoop his a—” as he walked away.
“Post Miranda, Daniel told detectives to shut the f— up and that he did not understand his rights,” according to court transcripts.
Lanks was arrested on felony aggravated assault charges. He was released on his own recognisance just one week before the alleged attack after being arrested and charged with aggravated assault and organised retail theft in March, according to KSAZ.
Lanks is currently being held on $500,000 bail for the April 14 attack.
