Suspect arrested after veteran attacked with crowbar in Maryland

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Vietnam vet speaks out after crowbar attack

Edwin Salvator Gonzalez was beaten with a crowbar outside a laundromat in Maryland earlier this week. He spoke exclusively with FOX 5's Tisha Lewis about what happened, and why he believes he was targeted.

Police announced an arrest on Friday after a 76-year-old veteran was brutally attacked with a crowbar in Bladensburg earlier this week.

Crowbar attack suspect arrested

What we know:

Bladensburg Police arrested Kelaachi Kanunye Amadi on Friday, May 8.

The attack happened shortly after 1 p.m. on May 4. FOX 5's Tisha Lewis spoke with the victim, Edwin Salvatore Gonzalez, after he was released from the hospital this week. Gonzalez said he was at the 7-Eleven on Annapolis Road, when he saw Amadi acting aggressively, banging a crowbar on the counter at the cash register. 

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Gonzalez said he was working as a contractor at the nearby 24-hour Wash and Dry, painting a window for Mother's Day. 

According to police, Amadi followed Gonzalez from the 7-Eleven, back to the car wash, and attacked him from behind with a tire iron, before walking off.

What's next:

Amadi was charged on Friday with first and second-degree attempted murder and first and second-degree assault, and is being held without bail.

What you can do:

Police are still investigating the attack, and asked anyone with information to contact them at 301-864-6080.

The Source: Information in this story is from the Bladensburg Police Department, Edwin Salvatore Gonzalez and family and previous FOX 5 reports.

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