Clifton Blackwell, a 61-year-old military veteran, has been identified as the suspect in a battery acid attack in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, November 1. Blackwell is accused of throwing acid in the face of 42-year-old Mahud Villalaz, a United States citizen of Peruvian descent, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Villalaz was left with serious facial injuries as a result of the attack.
Approximately 24 hours after the attack which was captured on video, Milwaukee police announced they “arrested a 61-year-old male on Saturday, November 2, 2019, in connection to an aggravated battery that occurred on Friday, November 1, 2019, in the area of 13th / Cleveland. Charges will be brought forward to the DA’s office in the next couple of days.”
Blackwell reportedly called Villalaz “illegal” before throwing the acid in his face.
Here is a look at the injuries suffered in the attack:
Blackwell is no stranger to the criminal system. He was previously convicted of “pointing a firearm at a hunter during a citizen’s arrest during deer hunting season.” For that incident, Blackwell, who is being treated by the VA, was charged with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor intentionally pointing a firearm at another person.
While formal charges for the acid attack have not been announced, Milwaukee Alderman Jose Perez shared his belief that the attack was a hate crime.
“The acid attack last night near 13th and Cleveland was a heinous crime that will have a long-term impact on the life of the victim,” Perez wrote in the statement. “This was senseless violence and it needs to stop. We as a community need to come together to work through our differences and learn to respect one another and diffuse conflict.”
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