Family mourns after WWII vet beaten to death in 'random' attack

In yet another senseless and sickening attack, police in Spokane, Washington say they have made an arrest after an 88-year-old World War II veteran was beaten to death, allegedly by two teenagers earlier this week.

Bobbie Belton, Delbert Belton’s daughter-in-law, told CNN’s Jake Tapper that her father-in-law “had a lot friends” and that she didn’t understand why anyone would do this.

On Wednesday, Delbert Belton - a retired aluminum worker and affectionately called "Shorty" by friends for his height - headed to the Eagles Lodge, where he was a regular.

Police found him in the parking lot.

The medical examiner’s office confirmed today that Belton died from blunt head injuries. This attack comes on the heels of another random attack on an Australian baseball player, Christopher Lane, in Oklahoma. In both instances, the attackers were bored, according to police.

Belton’s daughter-in-law said she found out about the attack from a friend who was with Delbert Wednesday night. The doctor in the emergency room called soon after, describing to her her father-in-law's injuries and delivering the heart-breaking news that he likely would not survive the night.

Bobbie Belton said that she and her family are holding up as well as could be expected in the given circumstances.