A 44-year-old Florida man is accused of bludgeoning a woman and her 12-year-old nonverbal son with a cane or baseball bat as they walked to the boy's school bus stop in what authorities describe as a random attack with no apparent motive.
Hutch Benjamin was arrested Friday on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the Tuesday morning attack in Fort Lauderdale, according to the Broward County Sheriff's Office.
The incident occurred in a parking lot near Sunrise Boulevard and Northwest Fifth Avenue. The victim, who identified herself only as Chrissy, told WFOR and WTVJ that she and her son had recently moved to the neighborhood.
Background
Surveillance video released by Fort Lauderdale police captures the moment Benjamin allegedly approached the pair from behind as they walked toward the bus stop. According to Chrissy's account, the attack was preceded by a chilling statement.
"He just said, 'I told you not to come,'" Chrissy recalled in her interview with local media outlets.
Chrissy told investigators that Benjamin then began beating her son. She stepped between them and shielded the boy, absorbing blows herself as the assault continued. The victims did not know their attacker, and authorities have not identified any motive for the violence.
The Charges
Benjamin was taken into custody three days after the attack following an investigation by Fort Lauderdale police. He is charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon—charges that carry significant weight given the use of a weapon and the vulnerability of one victim being a child.
Despite the presence of bystanders in the area, no one intervened during the attack.
"They didn't care, even if I showed them blood," Chrissy said, describing the apparent indifference of witnesses.
Chrissy was eventually able to fight off her attacker. Benjamin fled the scene and remained at large until his arrest on Friday.
Key Takeaways
- Hutch Benjamin, 44, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Fort Lauderdale
- The alleged attack targeted a woman and her 12-year-old nonverbal son as they walked to a school bus stop
- Surveillance video shows the suspect approaching the victims from behind before the assault began
- Authorities describe the attack as random with no established motive or prior relationship between the parties
- The victims sustained cuts and bruises but were primarily left traumatized by the violence, according to Chrissy
What's Next
Benjamin remains in custody pending his next court appearance. A date for his initial hearing has not yet been publicly listed.
Chrissy expressed relief that police took Benjamin into custody, telling local reporters: "It was never forgotten. And that's what I'm happy for. Justice was done in the community. I can feel some type of peace."
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information about this incident is encouraged to contact Fort Lauderdale police.