70-year-old thwarts attack with rifle butt

LITTLEROCK – A 70-year-old Littlerock man saved his elderly and disabled roommates from an attack Saturday night by hitting the assailant on the head with the butt of a rifle, authorities said.

The attack happened about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at a residence in the 16700 block of Pearblossom Highway, according to Lt. Ken Wright of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station.

Thirty-six-year-old John Tutson forced his way into the victims’ home “yelling, cursing and challenging the residents to fight,” Wright said.

Tutson pulled a 55-year-old wheelchair-bound woman by the hair and threw her onto the floor when she ordered him to leave, the lieutenant said.

“The suspect removed his clothing and then attacked the 80-year-old resident with punches before placing him in a choke-hold,” Wright said. “It was at that point the 70-year-old roommate, and witness to the incident, intervened by striking the suspect on the head with the butt of a rifle.”

Tutson, who was knocked unconscious during the incident, was transported to a hospital for treatment, Wright said.

Palmdale sheriff’s deputies learned Tutson was an acquaintance of the victims who had come to the house earlier in the day to borrow tools to work on his vehicle, the lieutenant said. “After some time, the suspect said he would sleep in his car and continue working on his vehicle the next day,” Wright said.

It was unclear what prompted the attack that night. The victims were examined by Fire Department personnel on scene and declined further evaluation or treatment, sheriff’s officials said.

Tutson will be booked at the sheriff’s Palmdale Station when he is released from the hospital, officials said.

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