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District resident Alexander Adams, 35, pleaded guilty on Monday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to violently assaulting 78-year-old John Hopkins and then 79-year-old Claudia Hopkins outside Giant in the 3700 block of Newark Street NW, likely leaving the latter with permanent damage.
According to prosecutors, at around 11:10 p.m. on Feb. 23, 2022, Adams randomly approached the pair and asked them for five dollars. When John Hopkins gave him one dollar, Adams exclaimed "that is not enough" and punched him in the face, causing him to fall.
Adams then took Hopkins' cane and began beating Claudia Hopkins with it, striking her head and body, causing her to fall back and hit her head on the concrete.
The assault was witnessed by DC Fire and Rescue Service personnel who happened to be sitting at a red light near the grocery store at the time and they were able to rush her to the hospital, while members of the Metropolitan Police Department arrested Adams around the corner from the Giant.
"As a result of the attack, Mrs. Hopkins suffered numerous injuries including a concussion, a brain bleed, swelling on the brain, altered mental state and cognitive deficits," officials said. "In fact, to this day, Mrs. Hopkins suffers from severe cognitive decline and will likely never recover."
According to an NBC Washington report last year, Adams' father said that he is bipolar and spent time inside a DC jail before the assault on the Hopkins.
Adams pleaded guilty on Monday, Dec. 4 to aggravated assault of a senior citizen. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26 next month.
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