Crimes Against the Vulnerable: A Disturbing Pattern of Violence
Hey there, dear reader. Today I want to address something that has recently crossed my news feed and refused to escape my attention. The topic is both heartbreaking and enraging: the brutal attacks and killings of one of the most vulnerable groups in our society — individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.
Please take a moment to read through these eleven cases that have occurred in the United States. Afterward, I’ll share my thoughts on these cowardly crimes and what they reveal about our society.
Case 1: Man Attempts to Kill Wheelchair-Bound Victim in Broad Daylight
On September 24 in Springfield, Illinois, Montez Edward Bolden, a 46-year-old Black man, was arrested and charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated battery. He allegedly tried to kill a wheelchair-bound man by repeatedly beating and stomping on his head until the victim lost consciousness.
According to local ABC affiliate WICS, witnesses saw a man in a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants stomping on the victim’s head in the middle of an intersection. First responders found Bolden seated on the curb near the unconscious victim. When questioned, Bolden reportedly said, “I want to sit here and watch him die,” and added, “He’s dead over there. I just killed him.”
After being read his Miranda rights, Bolden allegedly stated, “I tried to kill him. I wanted him to die,” and “If y’all didn’t get here as fast as y’all did, I would have continued to stomp his head into the ground and kill him.” He also reportedly said, “When they let me out, I got five more people I’m going to do the same thing.” The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Case 2: Man Accused of Stabbing His Wheelchair-Bound Sister
On August 26 in Wichita, Kansas, Andrew Ortiz, a 29-year-old man, was arrested for attempted first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his wheelchair-bound sister multiple times.
Police arrived around 2 p.m. to find a woman in her 30s with several stab wounds to her neck. She was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Prison records show Ortiz has two prior convictions for child sex crimes and was incarcerated from February 24, 2021, until November 26, 2024.
Case 3: San Francisco Police Seek Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Wheelchair-Bound Man
On September 27 in San Francisco, California, police offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a wheelchair-bound man.
The shooting occurred on August 5, 2024, near 20th and Shotwell Streets. The victim, 32-year-old Keith Albert, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities released an image of the unidentified suspect and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Case 4: Fatal Collision Claims Life of Wheelchair-Bound Man in Fort Wayne
On September 24, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a fatal collision occurred just before 6 p.m. in front of the U.S. Post Office. Police found the wheelchair-bound victim in critical condition and immediately began life-saving efforts.
Despite their swift response, the victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver involved in the incident cooperated fully with investigators.
Case 5: Navy Veteran in Wheelchair Shot on Seattle Waterfront
On July 31, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, Gregory Timm, a 32-year-old man, was arrested for the attempted murder of 68-year-old Harold Powell, a Navy veteran who uses a wheelchair.
The shooting occurred in broad daylight in front of numerous bystanders. Surveillance footage shows Timm confronting Powell, accusing him of misrepresenting his veteran status, and ripping a patch from his jacket. When Powell reached for something inside his wheelchair, Timm stepped back, pulled a gun from a bag, and shot him in the chest.
As bystanders fled, Timm shouted obscenities, claiming Powell had pointed a weapon. Court records later revealed Powell had an airsoft gun. He survived the shooting and was taken to a nearby hospital. Powell stated he had his military ID on him at the time.
ABC Channel 4 reported that Timm is expected to face trial next week. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elaine Lee wrote in charging documents, “This was a completely unnecessary act of violence committed by the defendant against a vulnerable victim confined to his wheelchair.”
Case 6: St. Louis Police Seek Suspect in Theft from Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On September 25, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, police released surveillance images of a suspect who stole a briefcase from a wheelchair-bound victim.
The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Washington Avenue. The suspect, described as a Black male of medium build, fled the scene after snatching the briefcase from the victim on the sidewalk.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department or submit tips anonymously.
Case 7: Hit-and-Run in Corpus Christi Leaves Wheelchair User Critically Injured
On September 30, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas, police began searching for suspects involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a wheelchair-bound pedestrian with life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 28, at 10 p.m. at the intersection of Baldwin and Ayers Street. Police say the suspects were driving a Jeep when they struck the victim, who was attempting to cross the road, and fled without rendering aid or reporting the crash.
The victim was transported to a local hospital. Their current condition has not been released.
Case 8: Deranged Duo Accused of Forcing Wheelchair-Bound Man to Drink Bleach
On April 27, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, Brittany Walker, 34, and Samuel Payton, 62, were arrested for allegedly attempting to force bleach down the throat of a man in a wheelchair during a disturbing ambush.
Prosecutors stated that an argument between the accused and the 44-year-old victim escalated into a violent attack, during which the pair tortured the disabled man and forced him to ingest the chemical. The relationship between the attackers and the victim remains unclear. The victim was hospitalized with a cranial bleed and a fractured left orbital wall, according to WXYZ Channel 7.
Case 9: Man Punched and Tried to Choke Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On March 18, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, Kevin Body, 33, was arrested and charged with third-degree assault on a special victim.
Multiple officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department witnessed Body assaulting a wheelchair-bound individual around 6 p.m. in south St. Louis. Officer Thomas Thalhammer reported that Body was in an agitated state, physically attacking a person who was unable to defend himself.
Initially denied bond, Body was later released to his mother. The court ordered him not to contact the victim and scheduled a detention hearing for April 10. As of today, no updates have been released regarding the case.
Case 10: Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On September 20, 2025, in Visalia, California, Carlos Manuel Ayala, 32, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for the murder of Joe, an unhoused man in a wheelchair.
Ayala admitted to shooting the victim multiple times at a convenience store in 2023. Prosecutors revealed that Ayala’s actions were fueled by longstanding personal conflicts. His sentence includes 15 years to life plus an additional 10 years, reflecting the gravity of the crime and its impact on the victim’s family.
Case 11: Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing Wheelchair-Bound Man in Norfolk
On June 4, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael Anthony Lewis Jr., 28, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of 32-year-old Bobby Lee Hill, a wheelchair-bound man.
Prosecutors said Lewis walked up to Hill and shot him in the temple at near-contact range before fleeing in a car. Security footage captured the entire incident, showing Lewis exiting the vehicle, approaching Hill, firing the fatal shot, and returning to the car. Police tracked the vehicle using the Flock license plate reader system and confirmed Lewis’s return to his apartment shortly after the shooting.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Compassion and Justice
These eleven cases are just a fraction of what you can find online by searching “wheelchair-bound victim.” Sadly, there are many more — each one a chilling reminder of how vulnerable individuals with disabilities are being targeted in acts of senseless violence.
These attacks are not isolated. They are violent, disturbing, and alarmingly frequent. Why are so-called “tough guys” and gangsters preying on the weak? These cowards often target children and women — and now, as these cases show, they’ve added people with disabilities to their list.
These individuals lack humanity. They cannot be reprogrammed or rehabilitated. They deserve the harshest punishment possible — never again to see the light of day. It enrages me to know that I share the same air with them.
So, dear reader, please be kind to people with disabilities. They didn’t choose this path. Some were born with their condition; others became disabled through injury or illness. If you see someone in need, don’t hesitate to help. Don’t assume their suffering is part of some divine plan you shouldn’t interfere with. Perhaps they’re here to test your compassion, your humanity.
And if you don’t believe in God, that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with helping someone simply because they need it.
Life can change in an instant. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Stay safe. Stay kind. Help those who need help — and hold accountable those who inflict harm.
Author: Mel Reese
EMAIL ADDRESS:
melreese72[at]outlook[dot]com
Hey there, dear reader. Today I want to address something that has recently crossed my news feed and refused to escape my attention. The topic is both heartbreaking and enraging: the brutal attacks and killings of one of the most vulnerable groups in our society — individuals who rely on wheelchairs for mobility.
Please take a moment to read through these eleven cases that have occurred in the United States. Afterward, I’ll share my thoughts on these cowardly crimes and what they reveal about our society.
Case 1: Man Attempts to Kill Wheelchair-Bound Victim in Broad Daylight
On September 24 in Springfield, Illinois, Montez Edward Bolden, a 46-year-old Black man, was arrested and charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder and four counts of aggravated battery. He allegedly tried to kill a wheelchair-bound man by repeatedly beating and stomping on his head until the victim lost consciousness.
According to local ABC affiliate WICS, witnesses saw a man in a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants stomping on the victim’s head in the middle of an intersection. First responders found Bolden seated on the curb near the unconscious victim. When questioned, Bolden reportedly said, “I want to sit here and watch him die,” and added, “He’s dead over there. I just killed him.”
After being read his Miranda rights, Bolden allegedly stated, “I tried to kill him. I wanted him to die,” and “If y’all didn’t get here as fast as y’all did, I would have continued to stomp his head into the ground and kill him.” He also reportedly said, “When they let me out, I got five more people I’m going to do the same thing.” The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Case 2: Man Accused of Stabbing His Wheelchair-Bound Sister
On August 26 in Wichita, Kansas, Andrew Ortiz, a 29-year-old man, was arrested for attempted first-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his wheelchair-bound sister multiple times.
Police arrived around 2 p.m. to find a woman in her 30s with several stab wounds to her neck. She was immediately taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Prison records show Ortiz has two prior convictions for child sex crimes and was incarcerated from February 24, 2021, until November 26, 2024.
Case 3: San Francisco Police Seek Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Wheelchair-Bound Man
On September 27 in San Francisco, California, police offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the fatal shooting of a wheelchair-bound man.
The shooting occurred on August 5, 2024, near 20th and Shotwell Streets. The victim, 32-year-old Keith Albert, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities released an image of the unidentified suspect and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Case 4: Fatal Collision Claims Life of Wheelchair-Bound Man in Fort Wayne
On September 24, 2025, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a fatal collision occurred just before 6 p.m. in front of the U.S. Post Office. Police found the wheelchair-bound victim in critical condition and immediately began life-saving efforts.
Despite their swift response, the victim was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver involved in the incident cooperated fully with investigators.
Case 5: Navy Veteran in Wheelchair Shot on Seattle Waterfront
On July 31, 2025, in Seattle, Washington, Gregory Timm, a 32-year-old man, was arrested for the attempted murder of 68-year-old Harold Powell, a Navy veteran who uses a wheelchair.
The shooting occurred in broad daylight in front of numerous bystanders. Surveillance footage shows Timm confronting Powell, accusing him of misrepresenting his veteran status, and ripping a patch from his jacket. When Powell reached for something inside his wheelchair, Timm stepped back, pulled a gun from a bag, and shot him in the chest.
As bystanders fled, Timm shouted obscenities, claiming Powell had pointed a weapon. Court records later revealed Powell had an airsoft gun. He survived the shooting and was taken to a nearby hospital. Powell stated he had his military ID on him at the time.
ABC Channel 4 reported that Timm is expected to face trial next week. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Elaine Lee wrote in charging documents, “This was a completely unnecessary act of violence committed by the defendant against a vulnerable victim confined to his wheelchair.”
Case 6: St. Louis Police Seek Suspect in Theft from Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On September 25, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, police released surveillance images of a suspect who stole a briefcase from a wheelchair-bound victim.
The incident occurred around 12:45 p.m. on Washington Avenue. The suspect, described as a Black male of medium build, fled the scene after snatching the briefcase from the victim on the sidewalk.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department or submit tips anonymously.
Case 7: Hit-and-Run in Corpus Christi Leaves Wheelchair User Critically Injured
On September 30, 2025, in Corpus Christi, Texas, police began searching for suspects involved in a hit-and-run crash that left a wheelchair-bound pedestrian with life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred on Sunday, September 28, at 10 p.m. at the intersection of Baldwin and Ayers Street. Police say the suspects were driving a Jeep when they struck the victim, who was attempting to cross the road, and fled without rendering aid or reporting the crash.
The victim was transported to a local hospital. Their current condition has not been released.
Case 8: Deranged Duo Accused of Forcing Wheelchair-Bound Man to Drink Bleach
On April 27, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, Brittany Walker, 34, and Samuel Payton, 62, were arrested for allegedly attempting to force bleach down the throat of a man in a wheelchair during a disturbing ambush.
Prosecutors stated that an argument between the accused and the 44-year-old victim escalated into a violent attack, during which the pair tortured the disabled man and forced him to ingest the chemical. The relationship between the attackers and the victim remains unclear. The victim was hospitalized with a cranial bleed and a fractured left orbital wall, according to WXYZ Channel 7.
Case 9: Man Punched and Tried to Choke Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On March 18, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, Kevin Body, 33, was arrested and charged with third-degree assault on a special victim.
Multiple officers from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department witnessed Body assaulting a wheelchair-bound individual around 6 p.m. in south St. Louis. Officer Thomas Thalhammer reported that Body was in an agitated state, physically attacking a person who was unable to defend himself.
Initially denied bond, Body was later released to his mother. The court ordered him not to contact the victim and scheduled a detention hearing for April 10. As of today, no updates have been released regarding the case.
Case 10: Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Wheelchair-Bound Victim
On September 20, 2025, in Visalia, California, Carlos Manuel Ayala, 32, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for the murder of Joe, an unhoused man in a wheelchair.
Ayala admitted to shooting the victim multiple times at a convenience store in 2023. Prosecutors revealed that Ayala’s actions were fueled by longstanding personal conflicts. His sentence includes 15 years to life plus an additional 10 years, reflecting the gravity of the crime and its impact on the victim’s family.
Case 11: Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Killing Wheelchair-Bound Man in Norfolk
On June 4, 2025, in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael Anthony Lewis Jr., 28, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of 32-year-old Bobby Lee Hill, a wheelchair-bound man.
Prosecutors said Lewis walked up to Hill and shot him in the temple at near-contact range before fleeing in a car. Security footage captured the entire incident, showing Lewis exiting the vehicle, approaching Hill, firing the fatal shot, and returning to the car. Police tracked the vehicle using the Flock license plate reader system and confirmed Lewis’s return to his apartment shortly after the shooting.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Compassion and Justice
These eleven cases are just a fraction of what you can find online by searching “wheelchair-bound victim.” Sadly, there are many more — each one a chilling reminder of how vulnerable individuals with disabilities are being targeted in acts of senseless violence.
These attacks are not isolated. They are violent, disturbing, and alarmingly frequent. Why are so-called “tough guys” and gangsters preying on the weak? These cowards often target children and women — and now, as these cases show, they’ve added people with disabilities to their list.
These individuals lack humanity. They cannot be reprogrammed or rehabilitated. They deserve the harshest punishment possible — never again to see the light of day. It enrages me to know that I share the same air with them.
So, dear reader, please be kind to people with disabilities. They didn’t choose this path. Some were born with their condition; others became disabled through injury or illness. If you see someone in need, don’t hesitate to help. Don’t assume their suffering is part of some divine plan you shouldn’t interfere with. Perhaps they’re here to test your compassion, your humanity.
And if you don’t believe in God, that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with helping someone simply because they need it.
Life can change in an instant. You never know what tomorrow will bring. Stay safe. Stay kind. Help those who need help — and hold accountable those who inflict harm.
Author: Mel Reese
EMAIL ADDRESS:
melreese72[at]outlook[dot]com