PD: Girl runs to aid elderly assault victims, gets punched

BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police in Branford are applauding a 13-year-old girl who assisted an elderly couple who was assaulted Monday afternoon.

Police said 13-year-old Jordan Ledyard, of Clinton, sprung to action to assist the elderly couple, who were among a number of victims of a violent assault that erupted in Branford center around 4 p.m.

According to police, they received a flurry of 911 calls reporting the assault in front of 960 Main St.

Upon arrival, an officer determined that a large, 19-year-old man with a mental illness became uncontrollably outraged when the parked vehicle he was in was accidentally struck by an elderly driver attempting to parallel park on Main St., police said.

According to police, the elderly driver and his wife exited their car to survey the damage and they were attacked by the 19-year-old, who pushed the senior driver to the ground causing a head injury. The teen then pushed the driver's wife to the ground and kicked her in the face.

Police said when 13-year-old Jordan saw the elderly man being pushed and fall to the ground she immediately ran to the man's aid. While trying to help the elderly couple, Jordan was also struck in the face. She and others tried to assist the victims and sought refuge in a nearby doctor's office.

In all, police said four people were assaulted by the 19-year-old.

Chief Kevin Halloran commended the actions of everyone who came to the aid of the victims.

"However," Chief Halloran continued, "I know that I, along with all of the officers that responded are astonished by the gallant act of bravery that Jordan exhibited, putting herself in harms way of someone who is at least three times her size to assist others during this crisis is truly a noble act."