Editor’s Note: A GoFundMe has been created by Geo Gesmundo, who says he wants justice for his father, Mauricio Gesmundo, Sr.
An elderly Filipino American man is in critical condition after being attacked in North Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve.
The incident, which left family members desperate for answers, occurred in the victim’s home on Fairhill Street at around 9:30 p.m.
Mauricio Gesmundo Sr., 83, was getting ready for dinner when he heard loud sounds from inside his house.
“All he remembers is whoever it was covered his face and then beat him,” Gesmundo’s son, Geo, told KYW Newsradio. “Then he fell to the ground and they dragged him, and that’s when they tied him.”
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Geo’s sister and brother-in-law found Gesmundo Sr. bound, duct-taped and bleeding when they returned home at around 3 a.m.
“Whoever did this is very inhumane,” Geo added. “His legs were zip-tied and duct-taped over them. His hands were in front of him, zip-tied as well and duct-taped. And then his mouth was duct-taped around his head several times.”
The intruder escaped with $30,000, according to police. No arrests have been made so far.
Gesmundo Sr., who suffered severe brain bleeding, is currently in the intensive care unit of Temple University Hospital. He reportedly remains unresponsive.
His family is seeking justice. Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the police.
“I just don’t understand how anyone can do this to any human being, let alone an 83-year-old,” Geo told CBS Philly. “And if there’s anyone on my dad’s street that witnessed anything, we’re just hoping that someone can speak up.”
NextShark has reached out to Gesmundo’s family for comment.
Feature Images via Gesmundo Family
