INDIANAPOLIS — The family of a Fountain Square man told 13News he is in critical condition in the ICU after being attacked by a man in the hallway of his apartment.
The family said Joshua Burton was taking his dogs out when a man allegedly assaulted him with a two-by-four. It happened around 5:30 a.m. Jan. 28 in the 900 block of Prospect Street, according to the police report.
Burton's wife, Christina, posted on Facebook, asking the community for help. It has since been shared more than 1,000 times.
Burton remains at Eskenazi Hospital and has had two brain surgeries. However, his family said he had not woken up as of Feb. 5.
Later that night, IMPD announced that a suspect, who had been detained earlier in the day, had been arrested.
Court documents say IMPD detectives arrested Eaton in the waiting room at Methodist Hospital, as he was waiting to have a gunshot wound checked out.
Prosecutors charged 35-year-old Brandon Allen Eaton with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated battery. His bond was set at $50,000 surety and $15,000 cash. The prosecutor's office said it had asked for a $200,000 bond.
According to court documents, Christina said her husband and she were leaving their apartment building and saw a man looking into cars in the parking lot and allegedly asked them if they had any meth.
When the couple got back to their apartment around 3:30 a.m., Christina said a man knocked on their door and asked if he could use the bathroom, but Joshua said no and shut the door.
Court documents say Joshua then went to take their dogs for a walk. Right after Joshua left the apartment, Christina said she heard a disturbance in the stairwell and saw a man standing over her husband with a two-by-four board.
Christina said the man then told her to call 911 while her husband was bleeding, and then he ran away.
According to court documents, Christina got the images of the suspect from a neighbor's surveillance camera.
Court documents say the attack was not caught on camera because it happened in the stairwell, but audio of the disturbance can be heard.
Eaton has a lengthy criminal record, including criminal trespass, burglary and more. In June, he was charged with assaulting a hotel valet employee and "punched him in the face and knocked him on his knees."
In September, a judge sentenced Eaton to jail time for battery resulting in bodily injury.
The Marion County Prosecutor's Office shared this statement with 13News:
“Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own neighborhood. Mr. Burton was simply taking his dogs outside when he was senselessly attacked near his home. Our thoughts are with Joshua and his family during this immensely difficult time, as he continues to fight for his life.”
Police are asking for any surveillance video or photos that can help with the case.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call IMPD aggravated assault detectives at 317-327-3475 or make an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated to adjust past charges against the suspect.)