RCMP are investigating an incident at the Centex gas station in Beiseker, Alta., that resulted in an 80-year-old man being beaten and transported to hospital by STARS air ambulance Friday.
Police believe the assault was the result of a road rage incident on nearby Highway 9.
A 56-year-old man turned himself in to police at the Beiseker RCMP detachment around 8 a.m., telling officers he had just been involved in a fight with another man at the gas station and “he may have injured him.”
Officers were able to locate the victim at the gas station. EMS was called and assessed the victim for various soft tissue injuries. A spokesperson for EMS told Global News that “given the nature of the injuries and distance to the hospital, the ground crew decided to transport the patient via STARS.”
The victim was transported to hospital in stable condition.
Robin Wolfel works at the gas station and helped the senior who she described as “dripping in blood” after the assault.
“He was driving into the parking lot and a fellow followed him in and accused him of cutting him off,” Wolfel said. “The fellow got out of his truck and questioned Bob at Bob’s window and Bob answered something. Then the fellow just started laying the punches to him.”
Wolfel said the victim lives in the area and has been a customer at the gas station for over 20 years. She said she and a co-worker helped the man until EMS arrived.
“We tried to keep him awake because he was wanting to pass out. He had so many blows to the head,” Wolfel added.
“It’s unnecessary he could’ve just gone up to him and said ‘Hey man, you cut me off ‘ or whatever you don’t have to beat a guy like that. That’s unnecessary you could’ve killed him.”
RCMP said after the assault, the suspect also broke the victim’s vehicle window and stole his vehicle keys.
Chris Shearer from Drumheller, faces several charges including aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
He is scheduled to appear in court in Airdrie on Feb. 1.