Johnny White, a 70-year-old Black man from Newark, New York, remains hospitalized after an alleged assault by a neighbor left him with a broken eye socket, multiple facial fractures and stitches behind his ears, local reporting shows.
What Happened
White’s family told News10NBC reporter Erin Mahon that two of his daughters stayed overnight at the hospital, taking turns watching over him in the emergency department as he received treatment. According to the family, the accused neighbor, identified by police as Brandon Watt, had allegedly been harassing White for weeks before the attack.
Arrest And Charges
Newark police say Watt was arrested and booked into the Wayne County Jail. He faces charges that include criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child, the latter because his daughter was reportedly present during the incident. Authorities have stated that additional charges could be possible pending further investigation and the victim’s account.
Investigation Underway
Officials told reporters investigators have interviewed Watt and two witnesses and reviewed video evidence related to the assault. Newark’s police chief said investigators are not ruling out a racial motive but that determining whether the incident meets the legal threshold for a hate crime will require speaking directly with White once he is well enough to provide a statement.
"There’s really still hate out there, and people really solely just hate because you’re Black," one of White’s daughters told News10NBC. She described her father as someone who "would give you the shirt off his back," noting that he works every day and cares for his animals.
The family has publicly maintained the beating was fueled by racial animus while law enforcement continues to investigate. Authorities emphasized that the inquiry is ongoing and that the official classification of the case may change as more evidence and witness accounts are evaluated.
More to follow as investigators and medical updates become available.
