Larry Ray Ritchey
Sacramento Sherriff’s department are on the hunt for a man suspected of assaulting an 85-year-old man at a Sacramento gas station who died hours later.
The attack happened December 12 at the AM/PM at 3921 Watt Avenue near Auburn Boulevard shortly after 1 p.m.
Investigators say that 85-year-old Lawrence Wayne Windham of Sacramento pulled into the gas station to fill up his tank, parking a little too close to the vehicle in front of him. The presumed owner of the car returned after paying for his gas inside and confronted Windham then assaulted him.
The young man struck Windham in the face multiple times causing traumatic facial injuries before fleeing the scene with a young woman who was waiting in the suspects’ car during the assault.
A bystander who witnessed the assault contacted dispatchers who were told that an elderly man required medical attention for his injuries after being assaulted.
When medics arrived on the scene to initially treat Windham he refused any further medical attention they recommended, telling them that he was already on his way to see a doctor before the assault took place.
It is unknown whether or not Lawrence Windham ever made it to be seen by his doctor. He reportedly complained of physical discomfort after returning home later that evening, where he experienced a medical emergency and died.
The Sacramento coroner’s office is currently investigating the cause of death which remains unknown.
Sacramento county detectives are seeking any information that can help them locate the suspect, who is described as a male around 6 feet tall in his mid 20’s with thick bushy black hair and a beard. He was wearing a white t-shirt and black hooded sweatshirt with grey sweatpants at the time.
The suspect was driving a light colored four door sedan type vehicle. An unidentified woman described as white or Hispanic with dark colored hair was also a passenger in the vehicle.
The Sacramento Sheriff’s department asks anyone with any information in relation with this case to call their non-emergency incident reporting line at (916)-874-5115.
UPDATE — 21-year-old Rio Linda resident Larry Ray Ritchey was arrested on charges of suspicion of elder abuse and battery causing great bodily injury. His bail is $150,000.
