‘I thought I’m gonna die’: Man who had brain surgery attacked near home

GASTON COUNTY — A man, who had brain surgery five years ago, was jumped Tuesday night by two men, according to police reports.

'A kick in the head could kill me?: Man, who had brain surgery, jumped walking near home 'A kick in the head could kill me?: Man, who had brain surgery, jumped walking near home

Doctors warned Roger Clayville that head injuries can still cause serious seizures, which worried him during the assault that happened near 1600 North Weldon St. in Gastonia.

“I got up this morning and wept for a while,” he said Wednesday. “I have never felt so violated in all my life.”

He went to a corner store for a drink and cigarettes just a few yards from his home, and that was when he was hit from behind and knocked to the ground.

"I tried to fight back, but it was too late," Clayville said.

He said they started kicking him in his side for no reason, which lasted about two minutes.

“To me, it just seems less than human, somebody jump an old man walking down the sidewalk and rip his pockets off and take everything," he said.

Clayville said years ago doctors discovered a walnut-sized clump of blood vessels in his head and warned him the surgery may not stop serious seizures, especially from a blow to the head.

"A kick in the head could kill me," he said. "I thought, 'Oh, my God, I'm gonna die right here in the street.'"

Clayville ran from his assailants after they stole the wallet and about $10.

A bystander called police after seeing Clayville still dazed from the attack.

Clayville didn’t go to the hospital at first, but he later went and was treated for bruised ribs.

Gastonia teen says he was followed home, attacked over 'bright headlights' Gastonia teen says he was followed home, attacked over 'bright headlights'

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Pizza delivery driver fights back, shoots 3 of 4 would-be robbers, police say
• Police say 25-year-old mom found outside abandoned house was murdered
• Video of husband serenading wife before cancer surgery goes viral
• Air Jordans, UGGs among $460K in counterfeit goods seized from NC flea market
• Impeachment Trial Day One: Trial begins; live updates

© 2020 Cox Media Group