Tenant Attacks Elderly Landlord with Wooden Plank in Money Dispute

On Friday, an Elbert County jury convicted 65-year-old Daniel Fougner of felony assault on an elderly individual and felony evidence tampering, as stated by the Colorado 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office in a press release. The incident, which took place in October 2024, occurred outside a residence in Parker, roughly 25 miles southeast of Denver.

An Elbert County jury found Daniel Fougner, 65, guilty on Friday of felony assault on an at-risk person and felony tampering with physical evidence, Colorado’s 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced in a press release. The case stretches back a year to October 2024, occurring outside a residence in Parker, about 25 miles southeast of Denver.

Fougner was “temporarily staying” at the home of the victim, who authorities noted was 15 years Fougner’s senior. The two men were outside of the home when a “dispute over money Fougner owed” broke out. Then came the alleged violence.

The since-convicted man is said to have grabbed a two-by-four piece of wood “and struck the landlord twice in the head.” The hits “caused a subdural hematoma — a brain bleed that a medical expert testified posed a substantial risk of death,” the district attorney’s office said.

As prosecutors tell it, Fougner knew he did something wrong because “after the attack, Fougner used a garden hose to wash the victim’s blood off the driveway before fleeing the scene.” He was later arrested in Castle Rock, which is about 13 miles south of Parker.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Eva Wilson expressed dismay over the convicted man’s actions — perpetrated against someone apparently just trying to help.

The victim “is an 80-year-old man who opened his home and heart to someone who was down on his luck,” Wilson said in the release. “When he simply asked to be repaid, he was met with brutal violence. This verdict assures accountability on a man who preyed on the kindness of another.”

The landlord was brought to the AdventHealth Hospital in Parker and admitted to the intensive care unit. He is expected to recover, the DA’s office said.

“This was a vicious and deliberate attack on an elderly man who could have easily died from his injuries,” added Deputy District Attorney Joe Ratner. “After beating [the victim], the defendant tried to wash away the evidence and flee. The jury saw through that and delivered justice.”

Fougner is set to be sentenced on Dec. 1. He faces between 16 and 48 years in prison, meaning he will likely be older than the victim is now when he finishes his sentence.

District Attorney George Brauchler was harsh in his judgment of Fougner’s actions — as well as what they apparently reveal about society at large.

“When people ask, ‘why have people stopped offering to help those in need?’ look no further than Fougner,” Brauchler said. “Attacking your 80-year-old generous landlord with a 2X4 is a sure signal to society that you don’t belong here.”

“Fougner is going to prison at 65,” the district attorney added. “He knew better and now he will know worse.”