Fayetteville couple beaten in home invasion

Officers were called to 1906 Slater Ave. shortly before 5:30 a.m. and found John McNeill, 70, and Joyce McNeill, 54, suffering from head trauma and other injuries, police said.

The couple's grandson, Malcolm Underwood, said they were in the habit of unlocking the front door while they waited for a ride to dialysis. On Monday, the intruder took advantage of that habit to attack them.

"He had acquired some type of weapon and began making demands to the couple to give up any money that they had." Lt. Todd Joyce of the Fayetteville Police Department said. "When they didn't have anything to give him, he started assault them, and he hit them with this object."

The intruder then fled the house on foot. Because of the darkness before dawn, the couple didn't get a good look at their attacker.

John McNeill was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, where he was listed in serious condition. Joyce McNeill was listed in serious condition at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

"Why would it take someone to do this? I mean, if they didn't have the money, just leave," Joyce said. "You didn't have to do this, and now they're in serious condition."

Anyone with information about the home invasion is asked to call the Fayetteville Police Department at 910-433-1856 or Crime Stoppers at 910-483-8477.