L.A. NOW

Southern California -- this just in

« Previous Post | L.A. NOW Home | Next Post »

Dodger Stadium victim was held down, kicked and punched in head

Dodger Stadium

More details have emerged about a violent postgame incident Sunday in the Dodger Stadium parking lot in which a man was beaten as his pregnant girlfriend looked on.

"They held the victim down on the ground and ... the fourth one kicked and punched him in the head," LAPD Cmdr. Andy Smith said.

The fight began about 9 p.m. after a minor traffic accident. According to Los Angeles police, Arthur Morales, 30, knocked the victim to the ground while his pregnant girlfriend watched, stunned. At that point, Morales' friends got out of the vehicle and joined in, police said.

A witness flagged down off-duty LAPD officers working security at the game and they arrested Morales; Alan Trujillo, 29; Ulisis Briceno, 26; and Alejandro Briceno, 29, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.

The unidentified victim was treated at a hospital for cuts and bruises. His girlfriend, who was not involved in the altercation, was also examined by doctors as a precaution.

The Dodgers released a statement saying the organization is "fully committed to providing a safe, family-friendly environment," and praising the police and security response for preventing the "confrontation from escalating further."

On opening day 2011, San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow was brutally attacked by two men in one of the stadium's parking lots after the game. He suffered severe brain damage and continues to undergo rehabilitation.

The Stow incident led to a large increase in security, including uniformed and off-duty police officers at the stadium as well as a quicker, more aggressive response against unruly or intoxicated fans.

LAPD Capt. Bill Murphy said the arrests marked the first reported incident of violence at Dodger Stadium since the season opened.

"In a Dodger season there are 81 games, they will draw 3 million people and on any given day they can have a sellout with 56,000 people. I don't believe that any law enforcement agency or any professional sports team could guarantee there would never be any type of incident with those types of numbers," he said.

ALSO:

Missing teen Sierra LaMar believed dead, sheriff says

Decomposing bodies found in South Los Angeles apartment

Irvine man reportedly kills wife, calls 911 to report crime, police say

— Andrew Blankstein

Photo: Dodger Stadium. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

 
Comments () | Archives (0)

Connect

Recommended on Facebook


Advertisement

In Case You Missed It...

Video

About L.A. Now
L.A. Now is the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news section for Southern California. It is produced by more than 80 reporters and editors in The Times’ Metro section, reporting from the paper’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters as well as bureaus in Costa Mesa, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Riverside, Ventura and West Los Angeles.
Have a story tip for L.A. Now?
Please send to newstips@latimes.com
Can I call someone with news?
Yes. The city desk number is (213) 237-7847.

Categories




Get Alerts on Your Mobile Phone

Sign me up for the following lists:


In Case You Missed It...