A 65-year-old man has been convicted of attacking an 80-year-old man with a two-by-four in Parker, Colorado, and now faces a minimum of 16 years in prison. The Elbert County jury found Daniel Fougner guilty of felony assault on an at-risk person and felony tampering with physical evidence, according to the 23rd District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the violent incident occurred in October 2024 during a dispute over money that Fougner owed the victim. When the elderly man asked to be repaid, Fougner allegedly grabbed a piece of wood and struck him twice in the head, causing a subdural hematoma.
After the assault, Fougner attempted to cover up the crime by using a garden hose to wash blood off the driveway before fleeing the scene. The victim was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was treated for his injuries. Officials said he is expected to recover.
“[The victim] is an 80-year-old man who opened his home and heart to someone who was down on his luck,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson. “When he simply asked to be repaid, he was met with brutal violence. This verdict assures accountability on a man who preyed on the kindness of another.”
Fougner is scheduled to be sentenced on December 1 and faces a potential prison term of 16 to 48 years. The case, prosecutors said, underscores the serious penalties that accompany violent crimes against vulnerable or elderly victims, as per 9News.
Court records show this is not Fougner’s first encounter with the criminal justice system. In 2014, he was charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder, following a fatal shooting in a Walmart parking lot on South Parker Road in Arapahoe County. The shooting killed 61-year-old Robert Goldsberry.
Fougner was arrested at the scene and later convicted of tampering with physical evidence and carrying a concealed weapon. However, he was acquitted of the more serious charges, including first-degree murder.
Law enforcement officials said the recent conviction highlights a pattern of violent behavior and disregard for human life. Community members in Parker expressed shock at the brutality of the assault, which occurred in what is typically considered a quiet suburban neighborhood.
With sentencing set for December, prosecutors are expected to seek a lengthy prison term, citing the victim’s age and the deliberate attempt to destroy evidence after the attack.