Decorated Soldier Attacked in Hometown

(Morrisburg, Ontario) A 21-year-old hockey player, Travis Baldwin, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after sneaking up on Master Cpl. Collin Fitzgerald and striking him from behind without provocation.

Master Cpl. Fitzgerald was decorated for combat service in Afghanistan and, apparently, his status as a soldier honored for valor upset Baldwin and three other men who joined in the beating.

Bystanders pulled the attackers off Fitzgerald and his friends drove him to hospital.

The weapons instructor at CFB Trenton had his foot broken in three places and needed 10 stitches to close a cut above his right eye. Fitzgerald, 27, also suffered a broken nose and two black eyes in the Friday night attack.

"Whatever he hit me with, he could have easily taken out an eye," the soldier said. "What if he hit me in the throat? It could have been an artery."

Baldwin may be the only person prosecuted in the case. His buddies haven't been charged. Baldwin goes to court on May 1st.

What a jerk.

Tip: slwlion