Assault Suspect Still At Large After Beating Up Non-verbal Autistic Teen At Arizona Pizzeria

A 24-year-old man from Arizona is still at large after beating up a non-verbal autistic teenager at a pizza restaurant. The assault suspect was already identified but to date, an arrest has not been made yet.

On May 7, Vincent Courey, 16, reportedly went to eat pizza at a restaurant where his brothers work in Peoria, Arizona. Debora Escobar, Vincent’s mother, claimed that while their son was watching people play games at the restaurant, he tapped someone on the shoulder allegedly as a form of communication. Debora added that Vincent is a non-verbal autistic and that he meant no harm.

However, according to Vacchiano, a group of customers became offended by the gesture and ended up beating Vincent helplessly. Michael Escobar, Vincent’s father, claimed that the assault suspects took their son into a corner where cameras and witnesses are nowhere to be seen. Thereafter, the suspects beat up Vincent before trying to flee from the scene.

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Assault Suspect Identified

According to Ragas, Michael was at the pizza restaurant and called for authorities when he heard two groups of customers screaming at each other. However, he apparently was not aware that Vincent had touched someone until he was informed later.

Peoria Police Department stated that they have already identified the assault suspect to be a 24-year-old from El Mirage, Arizona. Unfortunately, to date, the assault suspect has not been arrested yet. While waiting for an arrest to be made, authorities suggest an assault charge to Peoria City Court.

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