(KXLY) — WWII veteran Delbert Belton survived being wounded in action during the Battle of Okinawa only to be beaten and left for dead by two teens at the Eagles Lodge in Spokane on Wednesday evening.
Belton, 89, died from the injuries he suffered in the beating Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Witnesses say the Belton was in the parking lot of the Eagles Lodge at 6410 N. Lidgerwood, adjacent to the Eagles Ice-A-Rena, around 8 p.m. Wednesday when the two male suspects attacked him.
Belton died from his injuries Thursday at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
“Shorty,” as he was known by his friends at the Eagles Lodge, served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during WWII and was shot in the leg during the Battle of Okinawa. He went on to work at Kaiser Aluminum at the company’s Trentwood plant for more than 30 years.
He loved playing pool, even though he claimed he was no good at it and had been a member of the Eagles Lodge for the last four months. In addition to playing pool he loved working on cars.
Belton’s wife passed away several years ago.
Spokane police are looking for two male suspects in the attack. They said the suspects are African Americans between 16 and 19 years old.
One suspect was described as heavy set and wearing all black clothing. The other was described as being about 6 feet tall and 150 pounds. There was no description of what clothing the second suspect was wearing other than a silk do-rag.
WWII vet, beaten by teens outside Eagles Lodge, dies | Spokane/E. WA - KXLY.com
Belton, 89, died from the injuries he suffered in the beating Thursday morning at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
Witnesses say the Belton was in the parking lot of the Eagles Lodge at 6410 N. Lidgerwood, adjacent to the Eagles Ice-A-Rena, around 8 p.m. Wednesday when the two male suspects attacked him.
Belton died from his injuries Thursday at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
“Shorty,” as he was known by his friends at the Eagles Lodge, served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific during WWII and was shot in the leg during the Battle of Okinawa. He went on to work at Kaiser Aluminum at the company’s Trentwood plant for more than 30 years.
He loved playing pool, even though he claimed he was no good at it and had been a member of the Eagles Lodge for the last four months. In addition to playing pool he loved working on cars.
Belton’s wife passed away several years ago.
Spokane police are looking for two male suspects in the attack. They said the suspects are African Americans between 16 and 19 years old.
One suspect was described as heavy set and wearing all black clothing. The other was described as being about 6 feet tall and 150 pounds. There was no description of what clothing the second suspect was wearing other than a silk do-rag.
WWII vet, beaten by teens outside Eagles Lodge, dies | Spokane/E. WA - KXLY.com
