The victim told police that he did not recognize his attacker.
This updates story originally filed at 7:54 a.m.
HOLYOKE – A 43-year-old city man, who had some kind of caustic solution thrown into his face Thursday night while walking down High Street, was listed in critical condition at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on Friday.
Police Capt. Arthur R. Monfette identified the victim as Julio Acevedo. The attack occurred shortly before 10:15 p.m. as Acevedo walked near the Kennedy Fried Chicken at 333 High St.
Police said the suspect came up from behind the victim and threw liquid in his face. “At this point we don’t know if it was random or if there was any reason for this,” Monfette said.
Acevedo, who received second and third degree burns to his face, neck, chest and back, told police that he did not recognize his attacker.
The suspect is described as an Hispanic male wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Although police initially reported the suspect had been on a bicycle, Monfette said that an updated version of the report did not contain that information.
Monfette said the attack is highly unusual. “I have never seen anything like this before,” he said.
The liquid has not yet been identified and hazard materials personnel were summoned to dispose of it, Monfette said.