Aurora, Colorado — A 63-year-old homeowner was allegedly attacked by a stranger inside his garage in a sudden assault that left him with facial injuries, a missing tooth and a shoulder injury.
The incident occurred on October 18, when Tom Ruszkowski was working outside his home in Aurora. According to reports, surveillance footage showed 33-year-old Kendan Lubovich walking along the sidewalk in front of the property before the alleged attack.
Ruszkowski told the station that the encounter began without warning. His family reportedly rushed to help after hearing the commotion, while the suspect allegedly fled before police located him at a neighbor’s house.
Stranger Allegedly Attacks Homeowner in His Garage
Ruszkowski told that he was working around his property when someone approached him from behind and struck him in the back of the head.
“The next thing I know, boom, I got punched right in the back of the head,” Ruszkowski told the station.
He said the attacker continued striking him after he fell to the ground inside the garage.
“He jumped on me and just continued to pummel me the whole time I was on the ground in the garage,” he said.
When asked whether the alleged attacker had said anything during the encounter, Ruszkowski responded, “Not one word.”
The reported lack of any conversation before the assault has become a central detail in the homeowner’s account of the incident. Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the alleged attack in the information provided.
Family Members Rush to Help After Hearing Screams
The incident quickly drew the attention of Ruszkowski’s family members, who reportedly heard the disturbance from inside the home.
His daughter, Amanda McClain, told that she was awakened after hearing her children screaming. The children reportedly shouted, “Someone’s hitting Grandpa.”
Ruszkowski’s wife also ran toward the garage to help her husband.
McClain said she attempted to stop the alleged assault by using a Swiffer and a baseball bat against the attacker. The suspect eventually left the scene, according to the report.
The family’s response highlights how quickly the situation unfolded and how relatives attempted to intervene when they realized Ruszkowski was being hurt.
Victim Suffers Facial Injuries and Loses a Tooth
Ruszkowski spoke on camera following the incident. The report showed visible injuries to his face that required medical treatment, including staples and sutures.
He also reportedly lost a tooth and sustained an injury to his shoulder. The full extent of his recovery and whether he continues to require treatment were not detailed in the information provided.
The alleged assault occurred at the homeowner’s own property, where he had been carrying out routine work before the encounter.
Suspect Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing the Scene
Police located Lubovich at a neighbor’s house after he allegedly fled the garage. He was arrested and charged with assault.
Lubovich, 33, was being held at the Arapahoe County Jail without bond in connection with the case, according to the report. The case also has a broader legal background. Lubovich had been out on bail in connection with three pending assault cases in other counties.
Those cases were reportedly on hold while officials worked to determine whether he was mentally competent to proceed through the legal process. That determination is separate from the allegations surrounding the Aurora incident.
The information provided did not establish the outcomes of those earlier cases.
Court Proceedings and Outstanding Questions
Lubovich appeared in court on Wednesday following the reported attack. His next court date was not publicly available in the report. Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the alleged assault, and the accusations against Lubovich remain allegations unless proven in court.
The incident has left Ruszkowski and his family dealing with the aftermath of a violent encounter that, according to his account, began without a word of warning.
Further court proceedings may provide additional information about the evidence, the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the status of the case.
What would you do if a stranger suddenly attacked a family member at home? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
