A second suspect has been arrested for the murder of Delbert Belton, a former WWII veteran who was beaten to death last week, according to CBS News.
The unnamed 16-year-old suspect was arrested on Monday morning at 3 a.m. in Spokane. Wash. Police said he was arrested for first-degree robbery and first-degree murder. This follows the arrest of another suspect who turned himself in on Thursday night, who is being held on robbery and first-degree murder charges as well.
The 88-year-old, known as "Shorty," died on Thursday after being attacked by the two suspects outside of the Eagle Lodge in Spokane. Witnesses said the two assailants attacked Belton while he was waiting outside for a friend, who he reportedly did not want to walk in alone.
"They used those great big heavy flashlights," said Bobbie Belton, wife of Delbert's son. "The doctors said he was bleeding from all parts of his face."
Belton's nephew, Allen Hills, expressed his confusion and shock.
"He was just a great person. It was really hard for me to wrap around my brain. Why would you attack an 88-year-old man? I couldn't wrap around it as it was and then two hours later, I get a phone call from my mom telling me it was my great uncle," Hills said.
The murder case has drawn national attention and centered on race since both the suspects are black and Belton was white. Red State, a conservative website and blog, published an article titled "If Obama Still Had A Grandfather He Would Look Like Delbert Belton."
Many conservatives have taken to Twitter to discuss the role race played, if any, in Belton's death, tweeting "WWII vet beaten to death by two black men. Where's Obamas comments on that" and "How many RETWEETS can we get, demanding @BarackObama make a statement demanding swift justice for the murder of WWII Veteran #DelbertBelton," making references to the death of Trayvon Martin.
