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Phoenix PD: Murder suspect arrested after 74-year-old grandfather was attacked for 'no apparent reason'

By and Brent Corrado
Updated  March 4, 2021 5:23pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 10 Phoenix

Man arrested, accused of unprovoked attack that killed 74-year-old grandfather

According to court paperwork, Marcus Williams punched Juanito Falcon in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head. Falcon died two days after the attack. FOX 10's Justin Lum reports.

PHOENIX - A man has been arrested in connection to the deadly attack of a 74-year-old man in Phoenix.

According to Phoenix police, Juanito Falcon was walking near 17th Avenue and Bethany Home Road on the morning of Feb. 16 when he was attacked.

Officers found Falcon suffering from head injuries and he was taken to a hospital where he died two days later.

Juanito Falcon (Phoenix Police Department)

"Officers learned Juanito was walking in the area when he was attacked by a male for no apparent reason," police said in a statement on March 4.

Investigators say detectives developed probable cause to arrest 41-year-old Marcus Williams for the attack.

According to court paperwork, Williams punched the elderly victim in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head. The suspect then fled the scene, but witnesses reportedly were able to identify his car before he ran away.

Williams was arrested on Wednesday and booked into jail. He is accused of murder.

"Detectives have been unable to uncover a motive for this attack," police said.

While Phoenix Police officials say there is no evidence so far to suggest this incident is racially motivated, the attack that killed Falcon took place as more and more Asian Americans are attacked in cities like San Francisco and New York.

"We don't know why this occurred, which is what makes it even more tragic," said Ann Justus with the Phoenix Police Department. "Sometimes, we just don't ever find out the why."

Falcon's daughter, Malou Acunin, has issued a statement that reads:

The Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce sent a statement after learning of Falcon's death. The statement reads, in part:

A $500,000 bond has been set for Williams.

Marcus Williams (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

Falcon's family has established a GoFundMe account to help pay for funeral expenses.

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