Olathe, Kansas – An 85-year-old woman was brutally attacked in a Whole Foods parking lot on Sunday afternoon, leaving her with severe head and facial injuries that required emergency surgery. Police say a man armed with a hammer struck her multiple times as she was returning to her car after buying a salad.
Police Say Woman Was Struck in the Head With a Hammer
According to investigators, officers were called to the Whole Foods parking lot around 12:30 p.m. after witnesses reported a violent assault. When officers arrived, they found the elderly woman on the ground with lacerations to her skull and nose.
Police identified the suspect as Christopher Brewer, 50, who was still at the scene when officers arrived. Authorities say he was immediately detained while paramedics rendered aid to the victim.
A shopper loading groceries nearby heard the woman scream and saw a man striking her with what appeared to be a hammer. That witness intervened and later told officers that Brewer made several bizarre statements during the alleged attack, including, “I’m a person too” and “You don’t know what you’re doing.”
Victim Underwent Surgery for Facial Fractures
The woman was rushed to a local hospital, where doctors performed surgery for significant facial fractures. According to reports, she was placed in intensive care following the procedure, though no further update on her condition had been released at the time of reporting.
A neighbor, Sherill Benson, told the station that the victim frequently shopped at that Whole Foods store and had planned to go home and enjoy a salad she purchased earlier that day.
Benson recalled,
“The day she had been here, she said she had been at the store and was going to go home and have a salad from there.”
Suspect Reportedly Admitted to Hitting Someone
Court documents reveal that when detectives questioned Brewer, he allegedly said, “My name is Chris, and I hit someone today, but I don’t know more.” He also asked officers if he could eventually learn what happened to the victim, stating he “needed to talk about that.”
During a search of Brewer’s vehicle, police reported finding a bag of marijuana and a metal pipe containing marijuana.
Charges, Bond, and Upcoming Court Date
Brewer was charged with aggravated battery and booked into the Johnson County Jail. His bond was set at $35,000 following his initial court appearance on Monday.
He is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing on December 11.
Community Shock and Safety Concerns
Residents in the area say the attack has left them shaken, particularly because it happened in broad daylight at a busy grocery store. Authorities have urged the public to remain aware of their surroundings in parking lots and report suspicious behavior immediately.
The Whole Foods location has not released a statement, but shoppers in the area say they hope to see increased security and surveillance after the incident.
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