Cops Hunt Teen Accused of Beating WWII Vet to Death
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iStock/Getty Images(SPOKANE, Wash.) — A teenager suspected of beating to death an elderly World War II victim was encouraged to surrender Friday after wanted posters were issued for him.
Delbert Belton, 88, a veteran and pensioner, died from his injuries Thursday morning following an assault outside an Eagles lodge in Spokane, Wash.
Belton was “severely beaten to face and head,” said police spokeswoman Monique Cotton. Belton is white and the assailants were black, but police say they do not believe the crime was racially motivated.
On Thursday, police apprehended one of the two juvenile suspects. Due to his age, police have not released the teen’s name, but have confirmed he is 16 years old. That boy has been charged with first-degree murder, and first-degree robbery. He has yet to appear in court or enter a plea.
Police issued a wanted poster for the second suspect, a 16-year-old named Kenan Adams-Kinard. The suspect in custody did not name his accomplice and has not been cooperating with police, Cotton told ABC News.
“We are asking for the community’s assistance in helping us to locate Adams-Kinard and bring him to justice,” said Spokane Police Chief Frank Straub in a statement. “We would encourage Mr. Adams-Kinard to surrender immediately.”
Two teens were seen beating the elderly man by an eyewitness and were recorded by a surveillance camera.
“He is a World War II veteran who suffered injuries in Okinawa,” Straub said of Belton.
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