By Nicole Brewer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — An open heart led an elderly woman to open her door, which in turn opened her up to a brutal attack.

“Shocking, very shocking. Couldn’t understand it, don’t understand it,” said neighbor Robert Rivers.

To make matter worse, police say 87-year-old Yvonne Gaines knew the suspect, possibly an old next door neighbor, who neighbors believe asked to use her bathroom, around 3:30 Tuesday morning.

“This is a neighborhood, people trust each other. They help each other,” explained State Representative James Roebuck.

Another neighbor, Ruthie Rivers, says “she was block captain for several years, she was committee person of the district.”

The last person anyone would want to see hurt, let alone savagely beaten and robbed.

Gaines suffered several cuts, a puncture wound to the torso and a possible punctured lung, according to authorities. Her son, a 62-year-old Vietnam veteran, who lived under her care, was also brutally attacked. He reportedly suffered numerous cuts and lacerations to his face and body. Both were taken to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and admitted in stable condition.

“There is a new moral low we’ve fallen to,” said State Senator Anthony Williams.

On Eyewitness News this morning, Williams announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest for a suspect police say they have already identified as Jimmy Morrison, whose last known address is on the 4900 block of D Street.

“We want to send a message to Philadelphia … that this standard which is becoming normal is not normal. So, wherever you strike, we’re going to strike back.”