Elderly man describes attack by ASU student

BOONE, N.C. — Police said they still don't know the motive behind an attack where an Appalachian State University student assaulted a 72-year-old man in a Boone Walmart.

Diogenes Gabriel Morales, a criminal justice major, did not follow police commands and they had to use a Taser to subdue him, according to police.

The incident started when Morales dove into a bin filled with DVDs. Seconds later, surveillance video showed the student strike Jihad Asfour in the face.

"He rushed me and pushed me on my glasses in my face," Asfour said. "Like this but he is stronger and he pushed me."

Asfour said he was cut on his face.

Police charged Morales with simple assault and resisting arrest.

Investigators said the two men didn't know each other.

Asfour said he never said anything to Morales before the attack and doesn't know why he was targeted.

"Why I don't know," Asfour said. "Until this moment, what happened I don't know. Would you like to know? I wish to know. I want to know because it is my life. Why he did that."

Morales' roommates and neighbors are in disbelief over what police said Morales did.

"He's a good guy," roommate Jack Novansy said. "I would never expect him to do something like that."

Friends said he already apologized for his actions but Asfour said he has not received an apology and he doesn't want one now.

"I want the court, the judge, the magistrate, the police, to charge him," Asfour said. "Because I am sure he is going to hurt other people."

ASU said police have made them aware of what happened at Walmart.

The case has been turned over to the Office of Student Conduct.

WSOC