Family of injured Giants fan asks for civility, help catching suspects in Dodger Stadium beating [Updated]

The family of Giants fan Bryan Stow issued a call for civility among rival sports fans and asked people to help catch the two suspects.

At a news conference Tuesday outside County-USC Medical Center, where Stow remains in a coma due to a brain injury he sustained during a beating at the Dodger Stadium parking lot on opening day, the family thanked the public for their support and prayers. Stow is a father of two and a paramedic who made a road trip from Santa Cruz to attend the game.

"To know that people who have never met Bryan could care so much about him and his well-being has truly been overwhelming," said his cousin, John Stow, who wore a Giants hat and jersey as he spoke. "Though this has been a terrible tragedy done by cowardly people, it is reassuring to know that good people are speaking out and are appalled. We would like to use this as a rallying cry to stop unnecessary violence in our greatest pastime and all other sports, not only here but abroad."

He added: "This would be one of the greatest gifts you could give to us, especially Bryan. So I ask for one last thing on behalf of Bryan -- that we all enjoy a safe and competitive and exciting year of baseball and a successful Giants home-opening weekend at AT&T Park."

Stow's doctors also updated his condition, noting that even without sedation, he would be in a coma. They described his injuries as a severely fractured skull, which led to damage to the frontal lobe. Doctors removed the left side of his skull to allow his swollen brain to decompress.

[Corrected, 5:32 p.m.: A previous version of this post mischaracterized the injury to Stow's brain.]

"It's going to be a long recovery process," said Dr. Gabriel Zada, a neurologist who is treating Stow.

Bryan Stow's sister, Erin Collins, also thanked the people of Los Angeles for their support. "We know they weren't true Dodger fans," she said of the suspects.

Detectives also said they believe at least 100 people may have witnessed the attack. They and family members asked witnesses to come forward. Det. Jose Carrillo said he believes the two suspects may have assaulted three or four young men before beating Stow. The beating occurred in Parking Lot 2 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night about 8:30 p.m. after the season opener while Stow was walking toward the taxi area.

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to offer a $50,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest of the suspects. The total reward is now $100,000.

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Rival cities and fans come together to denounce attack on Giants fan

-- Richard Winton at County-USC Medical Center

Photo: Relatives of Bryan Stow -- cousin John Stow, from left, uncle John Stow, mother Ann Stow and sister Bonnie Stow -- at a news conference Tuesday outside County-USC Medical Center. Credit: Fred Prouser / Reuters

Comments

[ztagirl]

As a Dodger fan and sports fan, I am appalled at the behavior that led to this horrible and senseless tragedy. I hope for a full recovery for the victim and full punishment for the cowardly criminals who did this unspeakable act. I hope the family of the victim realize that these people are not representative of all Dodger fans. Most of us would never do such a terrible thing and we are shocked and embarrassed by this incident.

[stewartrt]

those guys are on the biggest wanted list in Los Angeles, it is a matter of time, 100-k oughta do the trick to find em.

[mark]

The sad truth is that,as the father of a now 2 year old little boy, I will never ever take him to Dodger stadium for a game. It is no longer the family venue that it was so, once he's older, I'd rather drive to Anaheim to take him to his fist ballgame.

[Juan in Long Beach]

hope they catch the two and put them away for a very long time. they need to learn respect for others and life. gooood riddance!

[Common Sense]

Stop alcohol sales immediately, and set-up mandatory DUI checkpoints in and out of the stadium.

[Jenny Shiny]

The Dodgers organization's silence is deafening.

[Luis]

This really didn't happen because of a sports rivalry that got out of hand. And this certainly didn't happen because of a lack of civility among fans. Rivals respect each other's accomplishments and reputations. Lack of civility is yelling a few obscenities of flipping each other off. This was a flat-out criminal act. And the only reason why officials want to keep cloaking it as a "rivalry" and "lack of civility" is because they don't want to address the real issue: that Los Angeles has turned into a gang-infested hell hole where low-lifes, thugs, and criminals ruin it for everyone else. I'm sure that when they capture these two it will be revealed that they are known gang members with priors. No one does what these two animals did without an already extensive criminal past. And this isn't going to stop until this perverse gang culture has been neutralized and liquidated.

[Randall Ricker]

They will have these guys by the weekend.

$100,000? Someoone will do the right thing, even if it is for the wrong reasons.

[JUSTIN NICHOLAS]

I THINK THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!If i could find these people i would put my life on it to stop it.I mean this is LA ("city of dreams") look at it now i really wish that i could have seen the dudes cause they would be BUSTED.

[Chi Guy]

Ignorance + Alcohol = Fan-Tastic.

[scott]

This is a good reminder that sports are supposed to be an escape from the bad things going on in the world. The rivalry is fun and some good natured banter is a part of that, but any type of violence or intimidation has no place at the ballpark. I'm a Giants fan and I don't like the Dodgers, but the good fans at both ballparks need to speak up when the bad fans take things too far. I saw some Giants fans shouting down a family of Phillies fans last year in the playoffs while they were simply trying to enjoy the game. We need to start standing up to these thugs and bullies when they are trying to have their fun at the expense of people there simply to have a good time and support their team. Hopefully the Dodgers can get a new owner that understands this.

[Anusia]

To die off of this is one thing, but to be left in a vegetative state and try to recover and have a life like that - that is another thing. And the poor kids.

California is not what it used to be, bunch of animals running around.

[Joey]

Just terrible.
It's just a bloody game of baseball. Really, just go home, get drunk.. don't go and beat a rival fan.

[gyrocaptain]

the victim is a paramedic...trained to help others...

this attack was witnessed by hundreds of people...

not one person came to his aide while he recieved countless blows to the head...

very sad portrait of humanity...

[Lori]

Thank goodness for the civility and kindness of the Stow family. How kind and brave of them to call for it! May all of us who enjoy baseball remember that we share a love of the game. Isn't it time for kindness and mutual respect to replace the cursing and violence? Let's appreciate a good game, well played. Whatever happened to the spirit behind the old saying, "Sometimes you win, sometimes you loose, and sometimes you get rained out." Easy does it, fans.

[Hope]

I pray they find the human garbage that did this!

And to those people who witnessed this and did nothing...stand up and show some humanity! If you don't you are no better than the garbage that did this.

My prayers go out to the Stow family!

[nick]

la is a cesspool

[JadedintheOC]

So pathetic that Angeleno's can't enjoy a family outing at a baseball game.

Praying for a quick recovery for you Bryan

[Dusty]

"Though this has been a terrible tragedy done by cowardly people, it is reassuring to know that good people are speaking out and are appalled." Apalled indeed! Can't wait 'til these wimps get caught!!! Continued prayers to your family, Embarrassed Dodger fans

[Sports Fan]

The more this story grows, the sicker I get with Frank McCourt.

[Ashley]

Mr. Stow's family are a class act and my prayers are with them. I hope the city of Los Angeles catches the two thugs who did this and put them away for the rest of their lives. I'm embarrassed to be from Los Angeles right now. You should be able to cheer for whoever the heck you want at any sporting event, anywhere, PERIOD and not be touched. This is so disturbing.

[Raindawgs4ever]

No gangs in Dodger Stadium!

[CarlosP]

Ditto

[Brian]

I find it kind of shocking at the small amount of $$$ that Mc Court and the Dodgers have come up with for reward leading to the arrest of the bad guys. He's got enough to pay his wife's mortgages on Holmby Hills homes, then he should be able to up the ante.

I agree, the LAPD should start putting people in the stands in opposing uniforms and start busting the bad guys.

This is just yet another reason to not attend games at Chavez Ravine...people are nuts, crowds have become spooky.

[Mary A.]

I'm a lifelong, bleed blue Dodger fan, and I am appalled. I'm just sick that this happened at my beloved Dodger Stadium, and please know that our prayers are with your family for Bryan's recovery. And you have got that right - those thugs were not true Dodger fans.