Detroit police make arrest after video of elder abuse goes viral

Detroit — Police made an arrest Thursday after a video circulating on social media appeared to show a man punching elderly victims lying in bed.

Police said in a statement that they are holding a 20-year-old man in connection to the assault and battery of an elderly male at a nursing home on Detroit’s west side.

A screenshot from a video that went viral showing a suspect abusing an elderly man. Detroit Police acknowledged that the sharing of the video helped them track down and arrest the suspect.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig said the department is investigating the incident that allegedly occurred at Westwood Nursing Center on the city's northwest side.

"The nursing home was unaware of the assault until they saw the video," Craig said during a press conference Thursday. "We are still investigating that aspect of the case, but we do have a suspect in custody."

 A video had been posted on social media and shared several times by concerned citizens of an incident that allegedly occurred on May 15. Police said both the 75-year-old male victim and the suspect are patients at the nursing home located in the 16500 block of Schaefer.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for his non-life threatening injuries, police said.

The suspect was taken into custody at the nursing home and transported to the Detroit Detention Center (DDC) without incident. Detroit Police is still investigating. Ann Arbor Police Department and the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office helped in the case. 

ecarter@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @EvanJamesCarter