Content warning: This article contains graphic details of an assault.
On April 14, 2025, a brutal and unprovoked assault occurred in Phoenix, Arizona, where 38-year-old Daniel Lanks allegedly attacked a man who had simply greeted him as they passed each other on the street.
According to reports, the incident took place around 1 am near Broadway Avenue and 48th Street in Phoenix. According to police reports, the victim asked Lanks, “How are you doing?” prompting Lanks to respond aggressively, threatening to “whoop his a—.” As the victim walked away, Lanks allegedly approached him from behind, forcibly removed his right eyeball, and punched him multiple times, fracturing his jaw.
His eyeball was “hanging down his face”
Daniel Lanks, 39, allegedly beat a man near 48th Street and Broadway Road in an unprovoked attack. The victim's jaw was fractured and his eyeball was ripped from its socket during the incident, police said. https://t.co/GQMD0wELaj
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) April 17, 2025
After the assault, the victim managed to return home, where his girlfriend called 911. Emergency responders found his eyeball hanging from its socket. According to court documents viewed by Phoenix news outlet Fox 10 Phoenix, “When asked to [remove] the towel, officers observed the [victim’s] eyeball was completely removed from his eye socket, hanging down his face.”
Authorities transported the man to a hospital for treatment. The victim said he did not provoke the attack, and because of his injuries, his ability to work or perform daily activities in the future is uncertain.
“The victim stated this loss of the use of his right eye and fractured jaw will forever impact his quality of life and is unsure if he will be able to work again or perform many basic life functions,” court documents added.
According to official documents, the victim told police he feared for his life and safety during the shocking assault, “believing that Daniel could have killed him.” The victim said he did not threaten or challenge him, or have a weapon on him, when the assault occurred.
Three days later, Lanks was located at an undisclosed “treatment center” and arrested after the victim identified Lanks in a photo lineup.
He reportedly responded belligerently to officers and claimed he did not understand his Miranda rights. According to court documents, “Post Miranda, Daniel told detectives to shut the f— up and that he did not understand his rights.” Lanks is being held on a $500,000 bond and is charged with felony aggravated assault.
Lanks was reportedly released from jail just two days before the attack, following an arrest in March on separate charges of aggravated assault and organized retail theft. According to AZ Family, Lanks has a history of mental illness and substance abuse issues. He lives unhoused and has a lengthy criminal record.
Published: Apr 21, 2025 01:05 pm