A 69-year-old California man remained in critical condition Wednesday after a brutal assault near his heavily decorated residence in Escondido, with authorities charging a 32-year-old suspect with attempted murder.

Escondido police responded at 2:15 p.m. to reports of an assault in progress near East Mission Avenue and Buchanan Street. Officers arrived to find the victim suffering severe injuries and arrested Thomas Caleb Butler, 32, at the scene.

The Arrest and Charges

Butler was charged with attempted murder and held without bail at Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County. The suspect initially fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after by responding officers.

A utility worker who witnessed the attack intervened to help restrain Butler until police arrived. The bystander sustained injuries during the confrontation.

Victim’s Condition

The victim was transported to a trauma center and remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit. His wife, Maria Garcia, told CBS 8 that she does not expect her husband to survive his injuries.