A 71-year-old man was clinging to life and a 28-year-old man behind bars after a Sunday afternoon attack with a baseball bat at a south Modesto trailer park.

Stanislaus County Sheriff’s detective arrested Marcos Canal, 28, and charged him with attempted murder.

The attack was reported at 3:40 p.m. at California Trailer Court, 613 South Seventh Street. Deputies found an unresponsive elderly man severely beaten with a baseball bat. He was immediately transported to a local hospital for life-threatening head and neck injuries.

Canal was detained outside of his trailer after several eyewitnesses positively identified Canal as the assailant.

Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) assisted with the service of a search warrant. Canal’s unit was searched, processed and evidence related to the assault was seized.

A Sheriff’s Department press release said that “While the full extent of motive is not yet fully understood, detectives have reason to believe this was not a random act of violence, and both involved parties had a prior history with one another. They are said to have briefly exchanged words with one another prior to the assault.”

Canal was later booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center where he remains in custody for attempt murder charges on a no-bail status. The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office responded to the original crime scene and was made aware of the active and ongoing investigation.  

The victim was still on life-support at the writing of this press release. Charges could be enhanced if he succumbs to his injuries.

Anyone with information on the assault or the relationship between Canal and the victim is urged to contact Detective Wyatt at 209-226-8467. Callers may also choose to remain anonymous by submitting tips to Stanislaus County Area Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636. Tipsters may also submit tips at the Stan Crime Tips website, or by using the mobile app “P3”, which may result in your eligibility for a cash reward.