Elderly man shoved onto floor at East Coast coffeeshop after patting child's head; family seeks to identify assailant as police investigate

An elderly man was violently shoved to the ground at a coffeeshop in East Coast after he patted a young girl's head, an act that sparked outrage and concern for his well-being. The incident occurred on August 15 at Roxy Square food court, where CCTV footage captured the confrontation.¹²³⁸

The elderly man, who is in his 70s and has a history of leg and hip injuries, was seen moving slowly through the food court when he patted the girl's head in a friendly gesture. However, the girl's mother reacted defensively, prompting her father to confront the elderly man. Witnesses reported that the father aggressively pointed at the elderly man before shoving him to the ground, causing alarm among other patrons.⁹

Following the incident, the elderly man's family expressed their distress, noting that he is now suffering from severe back pain. They shared that the assailant later approached the elderly man to apologize and offered him a drink, which was declined. The family emphasized that “a drink and an apology cannot simply take away the physical pain or injuries he is experiencing.”

Local actor Noah Yap voiced his disapproval, stating, “I am appalled” by the incident, highlighting the need for compassion towards vulnerable individuals. The family is now seeking to identify the assailant and has appealed to the public for information, aiming to ensure that such behavior is addressed appropriately.

The police have confirmed that a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.