COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- A 28-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the beating of a senior citizen outside a College Park church just before midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Wayne Williams, a 69-year-old parishioner, was found in the parking lot of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Prince George's County police said. He was beaten -- possibly with a baseball bat -- and had severe facial injuries, police said. His wallet also was taken.
The man had dropped his wife off for and was parking his car in the dark lot when the robber approached him, police said.
Williams was taken to a hospital in critical condition, an archdiocese spokeswoman said. His condition has improved significantly.
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After the attack, Wayne Williams called 911 himself and received advice for preliminary treatment of his bloody wounds.
Investigators are confident that Shanon Washington was responsible, said police, who called the beating one of the worst they've ever seen.
Police arrested Washington, who has several prior arrests in D.C. and Maryland, based on the description Williams gave and a surveillance video of the suspect's SUV in the area.
His son, Jonathan Williams, told News4 he still can't understand why his father was attacked.
"He would never hurt a person. It's unbelievable that something like this would happen to him," he said.
Once his father is released from the hospital, Jonathan Williams said the the family will finally be able to celebrate Christmas.
Holy Redeemer Church plans to put up lights in the parking lot and organize two-person patrols during nighttime services to discourage future attacks.
