Disturbing video shows moments when a Veterans Affairs employee pushed an elderly Vietnam veteran against a door and knocked him to the ground with the body.
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Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray first reported on the attack in May. Phillip Webb, 73, said he was attacked on April 28 at the VA Clinic at Fort McPherson in Atlanta.
Gray had to file a Freedom of Information Act request and wait more than a month and a half to get the surveillance video showing a lawyer for VA patients viscous punching and kicking Webb.
On Monday, Gray showed Webb the video of the moment he was attacked.
Webb said he doesn’t remember much about the attack.
In the video, the two men appear to have a brief argument and Gaillard holds his finger to Webb’s face. When Webb tries to push it away, Gaillard attacks, pushing him against the wall, choking him around his neck with both hands, and knocking the older veteran’s body to the ground, stamping his head. He then kicks Webb in the head a second time.
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VA employee Lawrence F. Gaillard Jr. was arrested and charged with the brutal assault.
Webb said he knocked on the door in the waiting room to let Gaillard know he was going to the bathroom. He waited to discuss planning hernia surgery.
“I think he was upset because I knocked on his door,” Webb said.
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Webb was hospitalized for three days with a brain haemorrhage.
“He was Mike Tyson leading me on there,” Webb said. “I’m just stunned. I don’t know what to say.”
The latest information the Atlanta VA has provided about Gaillard is that he is still working at the hospital despite his arrest.
“Having them come back to work is dangerous,” Webb said.
The VA issued a statement, saying:
“We are shocked by the video of a VA employee assaulting a veteran at the Atlanta VA Health Care System on April 28. This disturbing behavior is against our core values of treating veterans with the dignity and respect they deserve. We are taking this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with Fulton County law enforcement.”
Gaillard joined the initial charges, which were filed in federal court. In recent days, the US Attorney’s Office has dropped the charges over jurisdictional issues and turned it over to Fulton County District Attorney, Fanni Willis, whose office now heads the investigation.
We hear from the man who was attacked and show you the video, on Channel 2 Action News at 4pm
