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
