Simi Valley, CA – Five teenagers are facing felony assault and hate crime charges following multiple attacks in the Regal Cinemas parking lot on Tapo Canyon Road, authorities confirmed Friday.
Attacks in Movie Theater Parking Lot
The incidents occurred shortly after midnight on August 2, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Officials say the teens assaulted at least three victims, and two of the suspects are also charged in a separate altercation in the same location on May 30.
The suspects include three 17-year-olds and two 16-year-olds. Their identities have not been released due to their status as minors.
Victim Describes Racially Motivated Attack
One of the victims, 18-year-old Michael Robinson, told KTLA that the attacks were racially motivated. Robinson said he was with friends when a group of intoxicated teens began harassing one of his companions, escalating quickly into a violent assault.
“They hit one of my friends in the face first. Then they hit another. Then they rushed me while I was between two cars. I managed to get out and ran into the parking lot. That’s when they slammed me into the hood of a car and jumped me,” Robinson said.
Cellphone video captured by a witness shows Robinson being chased, beaten, and allegedly subjected to racial slurs. Robinson attempted to defend himself with a chair but was overpowered.
“They still caught me, and when they caught me, they decided they were going to put my head in the trash can and proceeded to hit me in the back of my head,” Robinson said.
The attack left him with a concussion, cuts, bruises, and a chipped tooth. Robinson said he did not know any of the assailants.
Arrests and Charges
Four of the teens were arrested on August 3, with a fifth identified later. One of the suspects is the son of a Simi Valley police officer, who is not involved in the investigation, authorities emphasized.
On October 3, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced charges against all five juveniles:
- Three teens – felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with a special allegation of a hate crime
- One teen – felony assault, misdemeanor criminal threats, and misdemeanor battery
- Fifth teen – misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, “Hate crimes spread fear, division and violence throughout an entire community. Our office is committed to holding these youth accountable and ensuring that justice is delivered for the victims and our community.”
Court Proceedings
All five teens are scheduled to be arraigned on October 10 at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.
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