Elderly Man Attacked Near Restaurant Showing Signs Of Improvement
DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The man beaten nearly to death in a parking lot near a popular Dallas restaurant showed signs of progress in his recovery Wednesday, but the search for the suspects who beat attacked him continues.
Luis Rocha, 70, is in the Intensive Care Unit at Baylor University Medical Center but is showing signs of improvement.
"He was actually talking today for the first time," said Lou Rocha, the victim's son. "Just now they were able to get him to eat for the first time since he's been here."
New lighting was installed on the side of the Campisi's restaurant where the attack took place.
Dave Campisi, the restaurant's owner, released this statement:
My family and my staff offer our prayers for complete healing and recovery to Mr. Luis Rocha. Mr. Rocha has been a loyal customer and friend of ours for many years. While this horrific event did not take place in our parking lot, as has been widely reported, we are nevertheless saddened that it took place near one of our restaurants.
Last year, we expanded our parking facilities by adding additional lighting and surveillance, and we regularly work with our neighbors along Mockingbird Lane to ensure the safety of all our guests. We believe we provide a safe environment, and we will continue to work with the police and others to ensure that Mockingbird Lane is as safe as possible.
Dallas police hoped nearby businesses had caught the attack on surveillance video but so far have found nothing.
Mockingbird Lane Florist owner Jonathon Liland said, "All the cameras are either pointed at your cash register or at your back door." He and other business owners were shocked by the vicious attack. "It was just very sad. It's senseless and we don't understand," Liland said.
New lighting was placed on the side of the Campisi's building where the attack took place.
On Sunday, around 9 p.m., Rocha was severely beaten by three men as he walked back to his vehicle -- with a pizza in hand. A customer found the elderly man lying in a pool of blood and called police.
Rochas valuables, including his iPod, wallet and keys, were left untouched.
Rocha suffered severe injuries including a broken back, broken ribs, arm, clavicle, scapula and a shattered jaw.
Family members are hoping someone will come forward with information that will lead police to the suspects.
Anyone with information about the attack or the person or person responsible for the brutal beating is asked to contact Dallas police at 214-671-3001.
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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