Last week I told you how ashamed I was that no one had turned in the suspects in the Bryan Stow beating that occurred at Dodger Stadium on opening day back in March. Stow was beaten because he was a Giant’s fan wearing his team’s jersey. I’m proud to say that yesterday, LAPD officers made an arrest of one of the suspects.
Earlier in the week, the monetary reward that was offered had been increased from $100,000 to $200,000, so I’m not too surprised a viable tip came in. However, the tip didn’t come from a citizen who ‘suddenly’ realized his next-door neighbor resembled a suspect on one of the many billboards scattered through the City of Los Angeles. Nope, the tip came from a parole agent. The defendant (now that he’s been arrested he goes from being a suspect to defendant) had recently been released from prison. The parole agent noticed the gang member defendant was obtaining numerous tattoos over old ones already on his neck – as if he was trying to hide something. The parole agent also noticed the defendant resembled the composite drawing of the suspect. Good observations on the part of the parole agent. I don’t know for sure, but doubt he’ll be able to collect the reward. I still shake my head that no citizen came forward prior to the clue provided by a member of the law enforcement community.
But there are still two suspects out there. The other loser who beat Bryan Stow is still walking the streets along with the female who drove the getaway car. I’m betting there is still reward money available – but probably not for long. Once LAPD gets one suspect in custody the other perpetrators are usually not far behind.
(Kathy leans back and hums the theme song from the TV show COPS)
On side note: Fox television has given the axe to the television show America’s Most Wanted. There is a Facebook page to try to save the show. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Americas-Most-Wanted/160575763985016?sk=wallI think AMW’s record stands by itself. 1152 fugitives captured. Seventeen of those were on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. 50 children recovered. The fans have saved the show once before and maybe it can be done again. If you think the show has done good work over the years, go ‘Like’ the page. AMW needs everyone’s support.
I was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and have enjoyed the benefits to living in a large city that much of the world admires, and yes, sometimes envies. It’s a standard joke during the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day that, after the world sees the gorgeous weather we experience in the middle of winter, the population in Southern California rises. While weather is a big part of the appeal of the City of Angeles, it’s not the only draw. There aren’t too many places where you can get up and surf in the morning and go snow-skiing in the afternoon. There’s just so much to do in the Los Angeles area…including to going to a Dodger’s game.
Many people went to opening day at Dodger Stadium. I wasn’t there and really, I hadn’t paid too much attention to the fact other than to acknowledge it was opening day and the Dodgers were playing the Giants.
It was the next day I heard the news about the Giant’s fan from San Francisco, Bryan Stow. I could tell from the news reports; this visitor to our city had gotten a brutal beating by a couple of thugs who’d also attended the Dodger game – apparently all because he was wearing clothing indicating he was a Giants fan.
In reading an account of the incident from the point of view of Bryan Stow’s friend, Corey Maciel, who was with Bryan at the time of the beating, the Giant fans had an initial skirmish with the attackers, but ignored that incident and continued walking to their car. A second attack from the suspects had Bryan on the ground unconscious. No matter how you spin this, the situation is ugly. These adultswere at a baseball game – America’s favorite pastime.
The media covered the story heavily and has done so, when warranted, since the attack. Bryan, up until last week was in a drug induced coma. Now he’s ‘just’ in a coma. There have been small signs of improvement that have spawned hope Bryan will awaken from his loss of consciousness. In fact, he’s going to be transported home to San Francisco today to a hospital closer to his home. This is good news. But…
The Bryan’s recovery is not a guaranteed outcome. In fact, I heard a radio interview from one of his doctors who stated he (the doctor) has been very up front with Bryan’s family about his prognosis. And from the sound of it, the doctor felt improvement would be a tough and uphill battle.
This incident is a black mark on the city of Los Angeles. Oh, there have been other, maybe even bigger, events that have sullied the reputation of this city. But…in the case of the two hoodlums who committed this crime, they have made other people unwillingly a part of this ugly story. You see, there are reports the suspects got away in a vehicle being driven by a female. In addition there was also a ten year-old boy in the vehicle as well. Can you imagine the turmoil that child is going through keeping such a big secret? But those two additional folks aren’t the only ones involved.
And this is why I’m ashamed.
I’m sure there were other people who observed the altercation between the parties involved. Maybe they didn’t see the whole fight. Maybe they saw the aftermath. There are probably people who whipped out their cell phones and captured video of all or part of the incident. To those people I say, ‘You need to talk to the police. You may not even realize you have a key piece of information to aid in the investigation.’
Maybe someone sat behind some guys who kind of resemble the faces in the composite sketches. Maybe someone at the game took photos of their friends or family, but also captured a couple of guys in the background who fit the description of the suspects.
There are people in Los Angeles, right now, who can probably identify the suspects – and/or provide vital information to the police – and yet they aren’t stepping forward. There is a $100,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. And the fact those people, for whatever reason, aren’t coming forward is inexcusable…and makes me ashamed.
If you have information, you can contact Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
