GLENDALE, AZ — Police in Glendale are trying to identify a suspect in an aggravated assault that has hospitalized a man who just returned from deployment in Afghanistan.
Officers say 27-year-old Adam McClure was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after an Aug. 17 altercation with the suspect.
Police officers responded to a Glendale restaurant in response to calls about a fight.
A confrontation had occurred inside the busy restaurant and continued into the parking lot outside.
Witnesses say McClure was on the ground unconscious and they performed CPR until first responders arrived on the scene.
McClure's mother says the assault happened at the Denny's near 99th Avenue and Camelback Road.
According to Glendale Police, Adam's group and another group of people got into a confrontation inside the restaurant, with the suspect taking a swing at Adam. When everyone was kicked out, police say the man went outside and hit Adam, knocked him unconscious and continued the assault. Friends intervened and then performed CPR on the 27-year-old.
"As parents, we were always concerned about Adam's safety during his two tours in Afghanistan, but it's inconceivable for us to imagine that he would be a victim of such a heinous, unprovoked crime here at home," said Adam's mother, Lisa McClure.
Adam's mother says her son underwent major brain surgery and is unable to walk, eat or shower without assistance.
"I feel like I've been robbed of my son and I just pray that he can recover one-hundred-percent," McClure said.
McClure says her son returned to the Valley from his most recent deployment overseas on Memorial Day.
"Our son has dedicated his entire life to serving his community and country so we're asking now to have the community help our son," McClure said.
Police have released surveillance photos of the suspect in hope that someone can identify him.
If you have any information, please contact your local authorities or call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
