DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach police announced Friday that they have made an arrest in connection with an attack outside the Coyote Ugly bar back in January that left the victim nearly blind.
In March, officers released surveillance video of the attack, hoping it would lead to a tip.
Officers said an anonymous tip April 3 led a witness to identify suspect Daniel Duany, 26, of Daytona Beach, as the person who punched Derek Tibado, 22, outside the bar, leaving him unconscious on the ground.
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Police said 20 minutes passed before 911 was called.
Investigators said Tibado is now going blind, has severe memory loss and requires 24-hour care.
"Our victim, at the time when he was hit, he fell down and hit his head on the concrete," Daytona Beach police Chief Craig Capri said. "He's basically confined to 24/7 care with a nurse assisting him."
Police said the men did not know one another and it is unclear what they were fighting over.
"I don't know about a motive at this point in time," Capris said. "I can tell you (that) sometimes fights happen. Nothing good happens at 3:30 in the morning in front of bars."
An arrest report said Tibado was in the area to sell a watch.
[ READ: Daytona Beach police seek help finding stranger that left victim blind from attack ]
"When I call him, he asks me if he remembers he's blind," said Deanne Tibado, the victim’s mother. "He asks me what year it is, how old he is."
She said that although she is pleased with the arrest, she is not yet satisfied.
"I won't be happy until he's locked up for good," she said.
Police said Duany is being held without bond on a charge of aggravated battery causing bodily harm/disability.
Duany will eventually be extradited to Kentucky to face drug trafficking charges.
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