World War II veteran dies after North Spokane attack

An 88-year-old veteran is dead after he was attacked Wednesday night in North Spokane. The victim, Delbert Belton, was a World War II veteran living in Spokane, according to his family. Spokane Police said in a news release that they responded to a call of an assault at the Eagles Lodge, 6410 N. Lidgerwood. When they got there, they found Belton in his car with serious injuries to his head. He was taken to a local hospital where he died this morning from his injuries. Belton, who was called “Shorty,” by his friends, fought in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, said his friend Ted Denison. Belton was shot in the leg during the war. “He was a tough old bird, I’ll tell you that,” he said. Belton was waiting at the Eagle Lodge for a friend because he didn’t want her to walk in alone, said Lillian Duncan, a longtime friend. “He was so awesome,” she said. “Anybody that didn’t get to know him missed out on a wonderful angel in their life.” Police are searching for two teenagers described as black males, ages 16-19, both wearing dark clothing and one wearing a do-rag. Major Crimes detectives are investigating and are asking that anyone with information about the crime to call Crime Check at 456-2233.