Two pro-life advocates were reportedly attacked outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday morning, according to the police.
The victims, identified as Dick Schafer and Mark Crosby, both older men aged 73 and 80, were allegedly assaulted and seriously injured. Schafer is recovering at home, while Crosby was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Photographs obtained by pro-life outlet LifeSiteNews show what appear to be facial injuries sustained by the victims.
Crosbys plate bone in his upper right cheek is completely fractured, and he is bleeding from some unidentified area behind his eye and the bone eye orbit is completely shattered and will have to be replaced with metal, according to a local pro-lifer John Roswell.
Dr. Jay Walton, the President of Baltimore County Right to Life, has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Crosbys medical expenses. Walton said Crosby was brutally beatenwhile he was praying in front of the Planned Parenthood in Baltimore City. Crosby has reportedly been praying in front of the clinic for years, hoping to dissuade young women from seeking abortions. The GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $13,000 in donations, surpassing its $10,000 goal.
According to Roswell, the assailant asked a nearby Planned Parenthood escort to hold his drink before lunging at Schafer. Crosby, who was in the street, tried to go to Schafers aid and was hit in the face, knocking him to the ground. The assailant then kicked Crosby in the head. A client from nearby pro-life pregnancy center Options @328 Baltimore reportedly screamed, prompting a nurse from that facility to come to the aid of the men.
Baltimore City Police said investigators obtained video footage of the incident. The suspect appeared to be a white man with brown hair and a full beard, and he was wearing brown shoes, a gray T-shirt, and blue jeans. Police said the suspect was allegedly seen passing the men before turning around to engage with them.
The suspect was reportedly seen having a visibly aggressive conversation with one of the pro-lifers before he became physical. The suspect then tackled Crosby over a large flowerpot and continued to punch and kick him. Schafer reportedly tried to help Crosby but was shoved to the ground and cut his hand.
Police are still searching for the attacker, who remains at large. The incident has sparked outrage among pro-life advocates, who have called for justice for the victims. The attack has also raised concerns about the safety of pro-life advocates, who often face hostility and violence while protesting outside abortion clinics.
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