GLENDALE, AZ — Glendale police have arrested a man accused of aggravated assault on a man who had just returned from deployment in Afghanistan.
Officers say 27-year-old Adam McClure was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries after an August 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. The suspect, 32-year-old Ricky Soqui, allegedly took a swing at Adam. When everyone was kicked out, police say Soqui 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. According to court paperwork, Adam needed 60 staples after surgery to relieve pressure in his head.
"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.
Glendale police say after several tips from the public, Soqui was located and arrested in connection to this case.
Soqui told police that he was intoxicated at the time, and was upset because Adam had been making racist comments with his friends while inside the restaurant. He denies being the one that punched him, knocking him unconscious.
Soqui faces one felony count of aggravated assault and one count of disorderly conduct.
