LAKE COUNTY, FL (WESH/CNN) – A man in Florida is facing charges after police say he attacked a deaf teenager who has autism, punching him the chest and hitting his head against a car.
Raeshorn Pitt, 19, who is deaf and has autism, is known affectionately around town as the “Minneola superhero” because he dresses as Superman and waves at cars from the same street corner every day, Lake County deputies say.
"He brings so much joy to me. I go by, I honk [and] my kids wave,” neighbor Tracy Vihrachoff said.
Police say 26-year-old Tyler McCorvey interrupted Pitt’s routine Thursday, attacking the man. He hit Pitt’s head against a car, according to the police report.
"The guy was doing some moves at him, and then he hit him in the chest,” witness Terra Brady said.
Brady says she didn’t see all of what happened but saw enough. She rushed to Pitt, and the two communicated through notes like they always do.
"He told me he's terrified, his body hurts and he wants a doctor,” Brady said.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office says deputies arrested McCorvey moments after the beating. He was charged with two counts of battery and aggravated assault of a disabled adult.
The suspect told police he challenged Pitt to spar with him because he wanted to fight Superman, but he says he didn’t hurt the 19-year-old.
Once at the jail, McCorvey continued to “scream, cry [and] dunked his head in the toilet,” the police report says.
The report also stated McCorvey said he “messed up and did not want to live anymore.”
Pitt returned to the street corner hours after the incident, once again smiling and waving.
Copyright 2017 WESH, Lake County Sheriff’s Office via CNN. All rights reserved.
