Healthcare reform activist bites off fingertip of 65-year-old man, authorities say [Updated]

Authorities today are searching for a healthcare reform activist who they said bit off the fingertip of a 65-year-old man during a fight at a MoveOn.org rally in Thousand Oaks. 

[Updated at 5:16 p.m.: A previous version of this post reported that the activist had bitten off the finger of a counter-demonstrator. Authorities now say that only the tip of the man's finger was bitten off, and that the 65-year-old victim told them he was not demonstrating at the time of the fight.]

“It all started with their difference in philosophy over healthcare reform,” said Senior Deputy Eric Buschow of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

The incident occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday at a “We Can’t Afford to Wait Vigil” organized by affiliates of the activist group MoveOn.org, which drew supporters of President Obama’s healthcare plan, Buschow said. The rally also attracted several counter-protesters, he said. 

[Updated at 5 p.m.: During the rally at Lynn Road and Hillcrest Drive, near the Oaks Mall, the suspect and William James Rice got into a heated argument and began fighting, Buschow said. Rice, of Newbury Park, punched the suspect after the man called him an "idiot," Buschow said.

At that point, one man bit off the the tip of Rice's left pinkie finger, Buschow said.

Rice then drove himself to Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center, about a mile away, Buschow said.  A witness picked up the detached fingertip after the suspect spit it out and drove it to the hospital. Buschow said doctors told the victim that they could not reattach the fingertip because of the high risk of infection.]

Ilyse Hogue, director of political advocacy and communications for MoveOn.org, called the incident “a regrettable act of violence” in a statement released this morning.

“While we do not have any more facts about what happened than what we saw in press accounts, MoveOn condemns violence in all forms,” Hogue said. “We support the Ventura County sheriff’s investigation into the situation. It is in our firm hope that this event does not detract from the tens of thousands who were out peacefully making their voices heard for health care reform and a public option.”

Authorities said they are looking for a white male in his late 40s or 50s who was last seen wearing black shorts and a black shirt. 

“We’re still trying to figure out who was the aggressor,” Buschow said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department at (805) 494-8201.

—Ruben Vives

Comments

[Gayle]

Why do they always yell prisoners are being abused if they are denied sleep but feel free to scream and bite off fingers at their own countrymen?

[Starboyusa]

“We’re still trying to figure out who was the aggressor,” Buschow said.

Going out on a limb here, I would guess the person that bit the other person’s finger off, would most often be considered the aggressor.

[Pete N. Repeat]

You work 40 hours? You deserve health care.

[Gerry]

What the story doesn't say is that the L.A. Slimes blamed the right-wing first! Yet another leftist sheet covering up the crimes of its comrades.

[Ron]

Liberals think they are the only ones that can get in the oppositions face. When it happens to them they start eating the opposition. True animals! I remember when I could not get in my bank because of ACORN protesters. They all kept their fingers because I am not a violent person.

[KatieJo]

I can't believe someone would insinuate that the "biter" was a plant from the "group" that does not support this "reform". Last week we had a left wing nut break into the DNC headquarters in Denver and was quickly apprehended on his BIKE. How many incidents of noose sitings have we had on college campuses only to find out that they were plants. We've had SEIU members show up posing as Americans against this "reform" carrying signs with swastikas presumably to fullfill Nancy Pelosis's insane accuasation about those opposing this "reform".

As others have commented, I can't believe anyone would suggest that this man deserved to have his finger bitten off. All instances of violence appeared after Obama called on his thugs to show up at these things. That very same morning I commented to my husband that it wouldn't surprise me if people got knifed at these events in the future. Never in my worst nightmares did I envision someone biting someones finger off.

I too have been "arming" myself when I attend these rallies for that very reason. It is not apparent that I am armed, but I am ready, willing, and able to respond with deadly force if somebody attacks me. It will be clear who instigated the altercation since it will be recorded.

[DonteatmyfingerBRO!]

This is getting crazy. The Astroturf basement dwellers in Acorn SEIU and Moron.org funded by Soros are moving into brownshirt territory. And now O'bama wants to "talk" to all the children privately. Here we go again.......Germany 1930's. They were health food and environment nuts too. Shoot, Der Furer was a vegan.

[JOSEPH]

RT James @ 10:53 AM

"20 bucks says the victim was wagging his finger in front of the guy and was warned to stop several times. i bet he deserved it."

So it's okay to bite someone's finger off as long as you ask them to stop "several times"? Are you out of your mind, or are you just a trust fund baby? I don't know anyone in the real world that can afford to think that way, let alone say it out loud.

[goldfinger]

Get Hardball Matthews on the case chop. He spent hours across weeks investigating 2 or 3 red state type guys that wore pistols to the parking lots of townhall meetings. This is an actual assualt! I demand equal coverage from the networks' formost, er, ahem, pinky!

[Paul]

Sad and ugly turn of events. Peaceful protests are always the way to go.

However, I hope the guy that was against having healthcare has a good health insurance plan, because he's going to need it. It would be sadly ironic if he didn't have any.

Any type of surgery is very expensive for someone who doesn't have any healthcare.

[JS in Tejas]

This biting guy will come in handy when Obamacare takes over to perform low cost amputations. He will save us 40K per chomp! Maybe Barry will invite him over to the White Crib for a beer and some finger food.

[Richard]

Pay your own way. I for one do not want the goberment in charge of my well being.

[Read This]

Hate Crime?

[alice smythe]

I would bet that if the one doing the biting was against Obama-care, his name would have been known, printed and he would already be in jail.

[Ricker]

Let's just hope the guy who got his finger bit did not have H.I.V. or some other blood-borne virus. What a shame that might be..

[Michael McCullough]

@James

"the anti-reformers do not know how to have a discussion about this topic. they have to get in your face anytime they are trying to make a point."

So the Obama zombie who bit the man's finger off is totally innocent?

You're just like that whiny little Obama and cannot accept responsibility for anything. I can't wait until we have adult controlling the White House and congress again.

[Paul Thompson]

Gettin Uppity...more to come!

[Garrett]

The 3rd comment, I couldn't believe it, someone already completely turned the story around and is blaming the victim. I don't care who had what political beliefs, but an old man being dragged into the street and having his finger bit off by someone 20+ years his junior is completely unacceptable. Its idiots like the biter that are driving up healthcare costs. What is happening to this country. I don't have any problem with protesting, even loud obnoxious protesting, it is everyones Constitutional right, but biting a fellow citizens finger off, seriously?!

[anti-anti-reform]

A hospital spokeswoman says the man had Medicare.

So the victim was there protesting "socialized medicine"... and had his pinky saved by "socialized medicine".

I sure wish anti-reformers would read up on the facts a bit more, rather than just feed their bias and paranoia via talk radio.

[AC]

Obama's thug commissars at their best!

[anti-anti-reform]

A hospital spokeswoman says the man had Medicare.

So the victim was there protesting "socialized medicine"... and had his pinky saved by "socialized medicine".

I sure wish anti-reformers would read up on the facts a bit more, rather than just feed their bias and paranoia via talk radio.

[Brilliance]

Definitely glad to see the common thread of logic here for the health care proponents.

Violence is a good way to persuade people; you know... for their own good. If you have to hurt people to persuade them to do what you want, its ok and acceptable.

Color me persuaded... persuaded that the proponents of health care have no arguments and are in need of a good ass-whipping. You know, for their own good.

[rebel1]

Am I to understand correctly, that the barbaric act of biting off someones finger is because they "deserved it"? Where you bottom feeders come from is your problem. Do not make it the rest of civilized society!!!

[Bill S.]

If he was truly bitten by an Obama supporter, then he'd better sign up for distemper and rabies shots...maybe even PARVO. Ick!!

[martin D.]

if Obama passes his health care deal...He will nominate Jack Kevorkian as the next Surgeon General.