A 44-year-old man attacked a woman and her 12-year-old nonverbal son with a cane or baseball bat in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning. Hutch Benjamin faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The victims were walking to the boy's bus stop when the assault occurred.
The attack took place in a parking lot near Sunrise Boulevard and Northwest Fifth Avenue. The woman, who identified herself as Chrissy, said Benjamin approached from behind and said, "I told you not to come," before striking her son. She shielded the boy, and Benjamin then beat her as well.
Bystanders in the area did not intervene. Chrissy told local stations WFOR and WTVJ that she was able to fend off the attacker, who then fled. The victims suffered cuts and bruises.
Fort Lauderdale police released surveillance video of the incident. Benjamin was arrested on Friday. Chrissy said she felt some peace after his arrest, adding, "Justice was done in the community."