Hunt On For Suspect Who Punched 76-Year-Old Man In Huntington Beach Park For 'Yelling At My Kids'

HUNTINGTON BEACH (CBSLA.com)  —  Authorities say a 76-year-old man was punched by an angry father at a park after the senior asked some kids to stop shooting off an airsoft gun near his dog.

The older man was walking his dog around 8 p.m. May 2 in Le Bard Park.

"He didn't want himself or his dog to get hit with the air soft pellets so he asked them to stop. They complied and he continued to walk on," says Lt. Kent Ferrin with the Huntington Beach Police Department.

He even told police he thanked the boys, about 10 and 12, for complying.

Moments later, he told police he heard a truck's wheels screech behind him.

That is when the 76-year-old man alleged a white man in his 30s, about 180-200 pounds, got out of the truck and confronted him. The man wanted to know why he was "yelling at my kids" and then punched the 76-year-old in the face.

The senior citizen tried to walk away from the man but he said he came up and assaulted him.

KCAL9's Stacey Butler spoke to police and people who are angry that the senior was punched.

"I think it's horrific and I hope they find him," said Linda Reely.

Police said the impact of the blow knocked the older man to the ground.

"For quite some time he wasn't able to get up, he dials 911 and then we respond," says Ferrin.

Authorities said the suspect got back in his truck and fled.

"This person clearly was out of control," Ferrin added.

If caught the suspect is facing a serious charge of felony elder abuse.

Huntington Beach Police are asking anyone who may have information about this case to call them at (714) 375-5066.