This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
Homicide detectives were investigating after an assailant fatally struck a grandfather in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box in Lancaster Thursday afternoon.
Deputies responded to the fast-food chain’s location at 43628 10th St. W. around 12:45 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Scott Hoglund said.
The incident began with a champagne-colored, four-door sedan pulling into the parking area. A man got out of the car and confronted the victim, according to Hoglund.
A brief altercation ensued, during which the aggressor apparently assaulted the victim. The lieutenant said he was not aware of any weapons being used.
The suspect vehicle then fled the scene, heading north on 10th Street West, investigators said.
Responding deputies found the victim on the ground suffering from “obvious trauma,” a Sheriff’s Department news release states. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities described the victim as a white man in his early 60s. The suspect is a black man, Hoglund said.
Family members identified the victim as 60-year-old Frank Borsotti, a grandfather of six.
Investigators have yet to review any surveillance video, according to Hoglund.
But surveillance footage obtained by KTLA that was captured from a neighboring business shows the suspect car pull up as the lieutenant described, then stall behind a vehicle the victim is standing near. After a brief exchange of words, the assailant swiftly punches the suspect, knocking him flat on the ground.
The attacker then gets back in the car, which flees the scene. He did not appear to be driving the sedan.
In video from the scene, a pool of blood could be seen near the rear tire of a Nissan Frontier pickup, with a set of keys discarded on the ground nearby.
Detectives have no information on a motive and are unsure whether the victim and attacker knew each other, Hoglund said.
Officials believe there were at least two occupants in the suspect vehicle.
The fatal assault occurred in a busy commercial area. The closest intersection, at 10th Street West and Avenue K, is lined with several other businesses including a Target, CVS and Starbucks.
Investigators are searching for leads in the case and hoping to speak with witnesses.
Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips may be submitted via 800-222-8477 or LACrimeStoppers.org.
