Elderly man says he was attacked by neighbor near Shenandoah bus stop ahead of early voting

MIAMI – A 45-year-old Miami man faces a felony charge brutally beat his elderly neighbor Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the victim was waiting at the bus stop to go to an early voting location.

The incident occurred Monday at a bus bench on Southwest 22nd Street and Ninth Avenue, just minutes before Inoel Felipe, a 79-year-old retired physician, was scheduled to vote at the nearby Shenandoah Branch Library.

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Felipe suffered multiple injuries during the attack, including a broken hand, swollen lip and a concussion, authorities said.

“I have a fracture,” he said, pointing to his hand while speaking to Local 10 News on Wednesday. “He hits and hits me. “I fell, then he hit me in the face again.”

Felipe claimed that he lost consciousness at one point during the attack, but a good Samaritan intervened by honking his horn, eventually scaring off the attacker.

Details of the attack

Authorities said security camera footage showed Yendry Sanchez approaching Felipe and delivering a sudden punch, followed by repeated blows and kicks to his face.

A Miami police officer testified at a bond court hearing that Sanchez appeared cool when he was arrested.

“He was nonchalant as if nothing had happened – he didn’t apologize,” the officer said.

Sanchez, Felipe’s next-door neighbor, allegedly became angry when the older man left their home and followed and attacked him.

“I don’t know why; quite young. I don’t know why he did this,” Felipe told Local 10 News.

A community response

Thanks to the quick action of a good Samaritan who alerted others by honking and yelling, authorities said Sanchez fled the scene before police arrived.

Miami Police Officer Mike Vega acknowledged the vital role of the passerby, saying: “In this case we see the suspect walk up to him and once again sucker punch him and then kick him in the face and that’s the only thing stopping him from continuing.” when a good Samaritan started beeping and yelling at him, causing him to run away from him.”

A judge in bond court stated that because the assault involved an elderly victim, it was classified as a first-degree felony, which carries serious penalties. Sanchez was denied bail and will face further legal action.

The woman who answered the apartment door for Sanchez did not want to comment when approached by Local 10’s Christina Vazquez.

During bond court Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer also noted the seriousness of the charges.

“Since aggravated battery on a person over the age of 65 is considered a dangerous crime, this is a first-degree felony,” Glazer said before denying Sanchez bail.

“We are happy to have him in custody,” Vega said. “We are happy that they denied him bail and that he will face justice for this.”