Tag: assault

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that a suspect responsible for a series of assaults in 2023 has been convicted and sentenced in court.

The SMPD reported on August 20, 2023, officers responded to the 3100 block of Main Street for an assault with a deadly weapon investigation.

Officers located an assault victim with head injuries. The victim, a Hispanic male, was attacked from behind as the suspect violently struck him with a large wooden stick on the back of his head. The assault was unprovoked, and the victim did not see the suspect. The victim sustained a large laceration to his head and required stitches behind his ear. Officers were able to locate surveillance video which captured the incident.

On August 22, 2023, officers in the 1400 block of Palisades Park located another victim, also a Hispanic male, of an attempted assault with a deadly weapon.

The victim, a Santa Monica Maintenance employee, stated the suspect walked directly towards him and attempted to punch the victim in the face. The suspect threw a glass bottle towards the victim’s face but missed.

SMPD detectives assigned to these investigations found the suspect description was similar in both incidents. Using departmental resources, the detectives were able to identify Kevin Mumin, 37, of Los Angeles (currently homeless) as the suspect in both incidents. Detectives located a LAPD bulletin on Mumin for hate crimes in their jurisdictions, as he specifically targeted and attacked Hispanics.

On August 23, 2023, Mumin was arrested by LAPD for multiple felony assaults (separate cases) with hate crime allegations. Detectives with the Santa Monica Police Department filed the Santa Monica cases jointly with the Los Angeles Police Department incidents.

At trial earlier this month, Mumin was found guilty of three counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon [245(a)(1) PC] with enhancements for Great Bodily Injury [12022.7(a) PC] and Hate Crime [422.75(a) PC]. He was also convicted for one count of felony sexual battery [243.4(a) PC] stemming from one of the Los Angeles incidents. On August 21, 2024, he was sentenced to 23 years and 8 months in state prison.

He has prior arrests for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, criminal threats, narcotics sales, solicitation, indecent exposure, sexual battery and battery.

Anyone with additional details about Mumin or the investigation should contact Det. Brian Spencer at (310) 458-8420 or Sgt. Shaun Cooney at (310) 458-8436.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Lost Hills/Malibu Station reported on Wednesday, August 21, that Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Heathercliff Road and Busch Drive due to an assault with a deadly weapon suspect barricaded in a vehicle at 5 a.m.

Authorities warned the public to avoid the region until further notice. No ETA on reopening has been disclosed. Drivers were informed to seek alternate routes.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) concluded their tactical response regarding the barricaded assault with a deadly weapon suspect at the 29000 block Pacific Coast Highway in the city of Malibu.

The suspect was taken into custody. The area was deemed safe and Pacific Coast Highway reopened to the public.

There is no additional information available at this time. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Whittier Police Department at (562) 567-9200.

To prefer to provide information anonymously call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, August 19, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News via email that a suspect has been arrested after an assault on a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.

The SMPD reported in the afternoon on July 29, officers responded to the 3200 block of Santa Monica Blvd for an assault that just occurred on a bus.

Officers located the victim who reported being attacked from behind while seated on the bus. The attack was unprovoked; the victim did not know the suspect and sustained significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.

Utilizing Big Blue Bus surveillance video, TAP card information, and additional neighborhood surveillance camera video, detectives identified Erik Morgan, 34, of Los Angeles as the suspect. On August 9, Morgan was located and taken into custody.

He was arraigned on August 13 and faces felony charges of 203 PC (Mayhem), 245(a)(4) PC (Assault likely to cause great bodily injury), 243(d) PC (aggravated battery), and 3455(a)pc (Violation of probation). He remains in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Lt. Aklufi informed Canyon News that “He [Morgan] has prior arrests for assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, burglary, resisting arrest. And he is homeless.”

Anyone with details about the assault or suspect is asked to contact Detective Orta at (310) 458-2293, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, June 26, Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department informed Canyon News that a suspect in an attempted homicide had been arrested.

The SMPD reported on Monday, June 24, officers responded to a call of a male subject assaulting multiple victims on the beach, just north of the pier. The subject, later identified as Jawann Dwayne Garnett of Los Angeles, attacked a 17-year-old girl who was on the sand near Lifeguard Tower 13, striking and strangling her.

A female bystander, 25-year-old intervened and suffered injuries when the suspect punched her and bit her ear. He then attacked a female in her 70s who was walking near the waterline, pulling her into the ocean and holding her underwater.

Lifeguards and police officers were on-scene within minutes, interrupting Garnett’s attack and took him into police custody. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries and later released. The other two victims were treated at the scene by lifeguards and fire department personnel.

On June 26, the Los Angeles District Attorney filed the following charges:

-Victim 1 (juvenile)

664/187(a) PC – attempt murder

273(a) PC – felony child abuse

-Victim 2 (bystander)

245(a)(4) PC – ADW likely to produce GBI

220(a)(1) PC – assault with intent to commit rape

-Victim 3 (elder)

664/187(a) PC – attempt murder

207(a) PC – kidnapping

Garnett, who is currently homeless, has a long criminal history in Los Angeles County, including prior arrests for the following crimes: 220 (a)(1) PC – Assault w/Intent to Commit Rape, 236 PC – False Imprisonment, 245(a)(2) PC – Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Firearm, 273.5(a) PC – Domestic Violence (Felony), 243(e )(1) PC – Domestic Violence (Misdemeanor), 245(a)(1)PC Assault w/Deadly Weapon – Not a Firearm, 483PC Theft, 602(k) PC – Trespassing, 290.011(a)PC – Failing to Register as a Sex Offender

In December 2021, he was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Division for 664/287(c)(2)(a) PC -Attempt Oral Copulation through Force, and subsequently charged and convicted for 220(a)(1) PC – Assault w/the Intent to Commit Sexual Assault. He was placed on probation.

Garnett is currently on formal probation for his 220(a)(1) PC conviction and has been arrested for several violations of his probation terms and soon after released. He was released on June 6, on his own recognizance for a probation violation and is scheduled to go to court for the violation on August 5, 2024.

On June 9, 2024, Garnett was arrested by the SMPD for failing to register as a sex offender. While in custody, he was registered as a sex offender in the city of Santa Monica and released with a citation with a promise to appear in court. That was the police department’s only encounter with Garnett prior to the attack on the beach. He is being held on $1 million bail.

Anyone with details related to this incident or this individual is asked to contact Detective Lucero at Hilda.Lucero@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander 24 hours at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

WESTWOOD—On Friday, June 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced today that Edan On, 18, a counter-protestor at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at UCLA on April 30, has been referred to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for misdemeanor filing consideration.

“Our office has completed a thorough review of the incident involving Mr. Edan On who allegedly assaulted another protestor,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We cannot establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. On’s conduct directly caused the victim’s injury. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr. On was working in collaboration with any other individuals; and our investigation found no proof of conspiracy or any organized effort by Mr. On related to the incident.

Given these factors, we believe that the appropriate course of action is to refer the matter to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, which will consider misdemeanor filing. This referral aligns with our commitment to applying the law fairly and ensuring that justice is served based on the available evidence.”

On April 30, at approximately 11:30 p.m., counter-protestors started dismantling a barricade surrounding a pro-Palestinian encampment. Clashes between the two groups escalated into violence. The victim arrived at the encampment at UCLA Royce Quad around the same time to support the pro-Palestinian encampment.

On allegedly assaulted the victim between 12:30 to 1:30 a.m. during the clash between the protestors. Aside from the known victim, no other victim or witness reported a crime involving On to law enforcement.

One other matter involving the UCLA demonstration was presented to the office and is currently under review. The case is being investigated by the University of California Los Angeles Police Department.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS/WESTWOOD—On May 23, the UCLA Police Department indicated in a news release that a suspect was arrested in connection to an assault with a deadly weapon that transpired on the UCLA campus on April 30.

The UCLA Police Department indicated on Tuesday, April 30, a group of instigators came to Royce Quad and violently attacked students, faculty, and staff members who were engaged in an encampment at that location. During that attack, one individual was seen on video assaulting encampment occupants with a wooden pole, causing serious injuries to at least one victim.

Detectives with the UCLA Police Department conducted an investigation that included interviewing victims, speaking with witnesses, and reviewing security camera footage and publicly available videos from members of the public and the media. On Thursday, May 23, at about 8:45 a.m., officers with the UCLA PD detained a subject at a business in Beverly Hills in connection to that crime.

Edan On, 18 was subsequently taken into custody and transported to the UCLA Police Department, where he was booked for felony assault with a deadly weapon.

On, who was not a student, faculty, or staff member at UCLA, was then transported to the Los Angeles County jail on $30,000 bail.

The UCLA Police Department is investigating all reported acts of violence and is actively working to identify the other perpetrators of violence associated with any protest or counter-protest activities between April 25 and May 2. The investigations are ongoing, and any additional victims or individuals with information on this case or other related cases are asked to contact the UCLA Police Department Detective Unit at (310) 825-1491.

By Trevor

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On May 9, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that a suspect involved in an assault that transpired on Hollywood Boulevard was arrested.

The LAPD reported on May 6, around 2:15 a.m., patrol officers from the LAPD’s Hollywood Division responded to a report of an Assault w,ith a Deadly Weapon in the 6700 block of Hollywood Boulevard. When officers arrived on the scene they located a severely injured male at the scene. Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was treated for several injuries.

A video of the incident, recorded by a witness, was obtained by a media outlet and posted on various social media platforms.

The video showed the victim and the suspect involved in a fight. The victim was pepper sprayed and knocked to the ground. The suspect continued to punch the victim while he was lying unconscious on the ground causing severe injuries to the victim.

Detectives from the Hollywood area were able to locate additional videos in the region that led to the identity and arrest of the suspect.

On May 8 around 2:30 p.m., detectives located the suspect in the Hollywood area and took him into custody. The suspect is identified as Jorge Luiz Garcia, 27, of Los Angeles. He was booked for 245(A)(1) PC- Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

Anyone with details about the assault is asked to call detectives at Hollywood Division 213-972-2971. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Aklufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to the Canyon News that a suspect has been arrested to an attempted homicide on Sunday, December 24.

The SMPD reported at approximately 11:26 p.m., officers responded to an apartment in the 1300 block of 14th Street for an assault in progress. After arriving on scene, officers found a male resident inside the unit with serious facial injuries and stab wounds to his forehead, neck and back.

The victim was still conscious and able to describe his attacker, who he knew. Other officers were flagged down by witnesses who heard the argument and spotted the attacker, identified as Christopher Clay Williams, 29. He was taken into custody without incident in the 1300 block of Alley 14.

Williams was booked into the Santa Monica Jail for Attempted Homicide. The victim was transported to a local hospital to be treated for injuries sustained.

Anyone with details related to Williams or the incident is asked to contact Detective Tavera at Ismael.Tavera@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Gradle at Ryan.Gradle@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department disclosed on December 5 that a suspect has been arrested in connection to an assault that transpired at Palisades Park. The incident transpired on December 1, at approximately 8:55 a.m., when officers arrived at the 200 block of Palisades Park about an assault in progress.

Officers found a transient male later identified as Tamarquis Burke actively strangling another male. The officers immediately intervened. The victim, who was also experiencing homelessness, could be heard pleading for help as officers ran towards him.

Burke quickly responded to officers’ commands to release the victim and was handcuffed without further incident. During the investigation, several witnesses told officers that the attack appeared to be unprovoked.

Tamarquis Isiah Burke, 31, was arrested and booked into the Santa Monica Jail for Attempted Homicide. He is being held on $2,025,000 bail.

Anyone with details related to this individual or the assault is asked to contact Detective McCoy at James.McCoy@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that a suspect has been arrested for an assault involving a deadly weapon on Saturday, December 9.

The BHPD reported at approximately 9:03 a.m., officers responded to the area of North Rexford Drive and North Santa Monica Boulevard regarding a reported assault with a deadly weapon. Patrol officers responded quickly and located an elderly victim who sustained a laceration on his head after being struck with a belt.

The victim was by his spouse during the time of the crime. There is no relationship between the suspect and the victim. During the commission of the crime, the suspect made anti-Semitic statements to the victim who was treated by the Beverly Hills Fire Department at the scene and did not require further medical attention.

The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival. After a search by the Beverly Hills Police Department personnel, an individual matching the suspect description was witnessed fleeing by a BHPD Senior Forensic Specialist.

Officers used the information provided to quickly find, detain, and identify the suspect.
“Our officers quickly apprehended the suspect and he is in custody,” said Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook. “This despicable act of hate against a member of our community will not be tolerated.”

Arrested for the assault was Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, of Los Angeles. Silagi’s charges include: 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon; 664-211 PC – Attempt Robbery; 422.75 PC – Hate Crime; 368(b)(1) – Elder Abuse.

Silagi is being held on $100,000 bail and is currently in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail. He has a court date on Tuesday, December 12 at the Los Angeles Airport Court. This is an ongoing investigation by the Beverly Hills Police Department Detective Bureau.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday November 6, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced they arrested a suspect in connection to an assault with a deadly weapon.

The BHPD reported at approximately 2:38 p.m. they received emergency calls of a possible physical altercation on the 100 block of South Roxbury Drive. Officers responded quickly and located a 34-year-old male who had been stabbed.

The suspect fled the scene prior to police arriving on the scene.

After a thorough search, officers and with assistance from the BHPD Real Time Watch Center, an individual matching the suspect description was identified and detained in the area of Charleville Boulevard and Lasky Drive at 3:06 p.m.

Authorities do not believe there is a relationship between the suspect and the victim. The victim is being treated at a local hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Geovany Huerta, 20, of Los Angeles was charged with 664-187 PC Attempt Murder.

He is being held on $1 million bail and is currently in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail. He has a court date of Wednesday, November 8, at the Los Angeles Airport Court.

The BHPD is still investigating the case. Detectives determined that the stabbing incident stemmed from an interrupted theft of property.

Anyone with details about this crime is asked to contact the BHPD at 310-285-2125. Anonymous reports can be made by texting TIP BHPDAlert followed by the tip information to 888777. Individuals can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477. To access Crime Stoppers, download the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP or use the website https://www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department indicated on Thursday, October 19 at approximately at approximately 4:33 p.m., deputies attempted to stop a vehicle near Hilldale Avenue and Cynthia Street in West Hollywood. The vehicle tried to evade the responding deputies.

As the suspect vehicle drove past the deputies, the vehicle hit the open passenger door of a patrol vehicle, striking the deputy with the door, causing serious injury to the deputy. The suspected vehicle drove away at a high rate of speed and out of view.

The vehicle is described as a 2022 dark grey Dodge Challenger, with Nevada license plate #802-W31. The vehicle is missing its front license plate.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information as to the suspect’s vehicle is asked to contact Major Crimes Bureau, 562-946-7893, or if you would like to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477, or on-line at www.p3tips.com.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department indicated in an email to Canyon News that a suspect has been arrested connected to felony battery and a strong-arm robbery that transpired on Tuesday, September 19.

Authorities indicated at about 3:30 p.m., officers responded to a call of a battery that just occurred in Palisades Park near the intersection with Santa Monica Boulevard. Officers located the victim of the battery down on the ground and suffering from injuries to his face and head. A suspect description and direction of travel were broadcasted to other responding officers.

According to statements from the victim and witnesses, the victim was recording video of Palisades Park on his cell phone when he focused the camera on the suspect. According to the SMPD, the suspect was currently experiencing homelessness and laying on the ground in the park. The suspect did not want to be filmed and stood up to confront the victim, demanding he stop recording. The suspect struck the victim at least one time in the face, knocking him to the ground and took the victim’s phone, which fell to the ground before fleeing the scene.

Officers located the suspect, identified as Tyler Jordan Keating, 35, and the victim’s nearby. He was arrested for felony battery, robbery, and elder abuse and booked into the Santa Monica Jail where he is being held. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney for filing.

The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. Anyone with details on the incident is asked to contact Detective Davis at stephanie.davis@santamonica.gov, Detective Sergeant Goodwin at chad.goodwin@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced on August 10th that a suspect was arrested after attacking another man who was found injured near the Santa Monica Public Library, Ocean Park Branch on August 9th.

The SMPD reported at 8:09 a.m., officers responded to the scene after a call of service for a Check the Status. An employee at the library informed authorities they attempted to wake up an individual who was near the front doors who may have been homeless and was badly injured.

The name of the victim has not yet been disclosed, but police indicated the 41-year-old male suffered from blunt force trauma to his face and had a swollen forehead. He was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and is listed in critical condition but is expected to recover.

At approximately 12:35 p.m., detectives spotted a person of interest loitering in the front of the library. Upon making contact with the individual, he became uncooperative and displayed threatening behavior. Additional officers arrived and deployed a Taser after the subject attempted to assault uniformed officers.

The suspect has been identified as Nathanael Roger Lavoie, 40, who was arrested and booked for attempted murder, felony battery on a police officer, giving a false name to a police officer, and resisting arrest.

Canyon News spoke to Lt. Erika Aklufi with the SMPD via email who stated:

“I don’t have anything for you about motive as this is still under investigation.  Similarly, I cannot share if he has an outside criminal record.  I can tell you that we had no contact with him prior to this incident; I understand that he was from out of state and may have only come to the area recently.”

Anyone with details on the incident or with information about the suspect is asked to contact the SMPD Investigations Division during business hours at (310) 458-8451 or the Watch Commander 24-hours at (310) 458-8427.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—One of Santa Monica’s City Council members was assaulted by a man on Third Street Promenade on Sunday, July 16, around 3 p.m.

Phil Brock and his wife Cathy were walking around the Promenade when the couple observed a man who was tearing down signs posted on an empty storefront located on the 1300 block of the Promenade. The signs were advocating for the removal of needles from parks and the Promenade.

Brock asked the man to throw the remnants of the signs in the trash instead of leaving it across the promenade and identified himself as a Councilmember. This is when the assailant began throwing trash at the Councilmember and his wife.

The suspect was screaming and began using what was reported to be offensive language.

Brock began picking up the pieces of the sign when the suspect grabbed a half-filled bottle from the trash and threw it’s remaining liquid on both the Councilmember and his wife. He then threw the bottle at Brock and left the scene.

The couple made a police report after the assailant left the scene and waited there for them to arrive. As they were waiting the suspect turned around and attacked Brock by pushing him multiple times and trying to grab his hat. The pair struggled and a physical altercation ensued. The suspect got away with the Councilmember’s hat and left the scene.

Brock has suffered two swollen fingers as a result of the altercation.

When police arrived, they located the suspect and made an arrest. He was booked for simple battery and grand theft. The assailant was cited and released.

Brock filed a police report and signed a citizen’s arrest form.

According to Lt. Erika Aklufi the suspect refused to give the police department any address information and appeared to be homeless.

By Christianne

TOPANGA—A Taser Gun was used by the Los Angeles Police Department after an incident on June 17. The LAPD reported at around 1:30 p.m., Topanga patrol officers received a radio call of a ‘Robbery Suspect’ at the 7400 block of Pomelo Drive.

As units were responding, an additional radio call in the area was broadcast of an ‘Assault with a Deadly Weapon Suspect There Now,’ with a similar suspect description. After arriving on the scene, officers observed the suspect, later identified as Isaac Zamost, 25, in the middle of the roadway, not wearing a shirt and with blood on his chest, abdomen and wrists. The officers spotted that Zamost had three taser darts embedded in his chest and abdomen.

Officers ordered Zamost, who appeared to be suffering from a mental illness, to stop walking toward them and to place his hands on their police vehicle or he would be tased. The suspect continued walking aggressively towards the officers, resulting in one officer discharging a Taser in the probe mode, striking Zamost, who immediately fell onto the roadway.

Zamost stood up and again walked toward the officers, resulting in a second Taser probe mode deployment which struck him and he immediately fell onto the roadway, striking the back of his head on the pavement. Officers handcuffed Zamost and took him into custody without further incident.

A Los Angeles Fire Department rescue ambulance arrived at scene, treated, and transported the suspect to a local hospital. He was admitted into the hospital for injuries sustained during the incident and additional medical testing.

The preliminary investigation revealed that prior to the officers’ arrival; Zamost was involved in an altercation with a citizen, which resulted in him being tased by the citizen.

No officers were injured during the incident. Detectives from Force Investigation Division (FID) responded to the scene and are investigating this incident.

By Casey

SANTA MONICA—Lt. Erika Alufi of the Santa Monica Police Department indicated in a press release to Canyon News that a suspect was arrested for an assault that occurred on Saturday, May 27. The SMPD reported at 7:30 p.m. that DART officers were patrolling the Santa Monica Pier when they were flagged down by the victim of an assault.

The victim was a tourist from Mexico, who informed the officers that about 10 minutes prior, a male suspect approached the victim and grabbed her breast. The suspect, later identified as Johnathan Peck, 25, continued walking past the victim, but stayed in the region.

After the victim told her friend what happened, the friend approached the Peck and confronted him about the sexual assault. Peck responded by using a large, sharpened stick to stab the friend (victim 2) in the face and neck.

The suspect fled the scene, but was quickly apprehended by additional officers to the Pier. While they were conducting their investigation, officers learned that Peck was responsible for additional assault that occurred shortly before the one described above. Peck attacked another female, grabbing her breasts, and another male victim who was also stabbed with the stick.

Two of the victims requiring medical attention were transported to local hospitals and treated for minor injuries. Details on the current condition of the victims have not been disclosed to the public. No additional information about the incident has been disclosed by the SMPD.

By Casey.

SANTA MONICA—A man was attacked by a group of 8 teenagers two of which have been charged with assault after they were caught beating a man with their skateboards on a Santa Monica E-Line Train.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 19, at around 11:24 a.m. It began as a confrontation on a westbound E-Line and escalated to an assault once the train arrived at 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Officers from the Santa Monica Police Department arrived at the platform and summoned medics to treat the injured victim. 

The victim who was later identified as Eric Lewis and multiple witnesses were able to describe the assailants and the direction they were heading. According to reports, the group of teenage boys were delaying the train by preventing the doors from closing. Many of the passengers were headed to work and pleaded with the boys to stop so they could make it to work on time.

The group of boys targeted Lewis. They began to taunt, harass and throw items at him. According to Lewis, he kept his head down and tried ignoring them. As the train made its last stop the boys exited. Lewis left the train through an emergency exit located in the opposite side of the train. When he got off the train he was hit in the back of the head and turned around a saw one of the boys swinging his skateboard. 

“The first thing out of my mouth was ‘did you just hit me with your skateboard?’” Lewis said to Santa Monica Daily Press in an interview. He took his phone out and said he was going to call the cops then the group of boys started screaming and yelling at him. They tried taking Lewis’s phone away from him as he was trying to dial. 

The group of boys beat Lewis with their fists, feet, and skateboards. One of the assailants was able to reach into the victim’s pocket and grabbed his phone. The group stopped and Lewis fled in the direction of the nearby Marriott Courtyard Hotel.

He found a security guard at the hotel and asked for help. 

Lewis looked for his phone and work clothes that he left at the scene when one of the assailants met with him. This assailant was described as the “leader” of the group of teenagers. Lewis asked for his phone back when the suspect raised his hands with his skateboard and slammed it against the victim’s head which cracked his skull. 

The group of teenagers ran away as Lewis sat on the sidewalk waiting for help. 

Officers located the suspects and arrested them with no incident. The victim was able to identify them after he was shown some images. 

Lewis was encouraged to go to the hospital by authorities but at the time was confused by their question. He was taken to St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica where he arrived at the emergency room around 12:30 p.m. He was suffering from a deep laceration to his scalp requiring eight staples, as well as a cracked rib, multiple abrasions on his back, arms and shoulders, and a concussion that he was told was the cause of his light sensitivity, dizziness, headaches, word comprehension and nausea.

An officer found Lewis’s phone later that day and it had been smashed to pieces. 

Two suspects were taken to the police station, processed and released to their parents or guardians per county rules relates to youthful offenders. 

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office filed assault charges against two minors who officers said were seen striking the victim with their skateboards. 

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact SMPD Criminal Investigations during business hours at 310-458-8451.

By Christianne