Aretha Franklin's Son Severely Beaten in Detroit, No Motive Known

DETROIT (CBS/AP) The son of legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin was attacked and severely beaten outside a Detroit area gas station late Monday night and police are trying to figure out why.

Gwendolyn Quinn, a spokeswoman for Franklin, said in a statement that Eddie Franklin was undergoing emergency surgery after being rushed to the hospital by a female acquaintance that was with him at the time of the beating, but did not see what happened according to reports.

Quinn did not elaborate on the extent of Eddie Franklin's injuries.

Police say that Eddie Franklin drove to the gas station with a female friend who then walked into the store. The woman says that when she came out the assault had taken place and she quickly drove him to the hospital. She then drove to the police station to file a report.

Police say they have no information on a motive for the attack but hope to speak to the victim once he is recovery from surgery and is able to talk.

Eddie Franklin recently sang on his mother's latest album "A Woman Falling Out of Love," singing the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

Eddie Franklin is a gifted gospel singer in his own right, and has sung for years at local concerts, according to the Detroit Free Press.

He was also a suspect in a suspicious fire in 2002 at a $1.6 mil. mansion owned by the Queen of Soul and used for storage. He was later cleared by the Attorney General's Office.

Aretha Franklin is one of the most honored musicians in American history, having won numerous Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.