The victim, Harpal Singh, was assaulted around 3 pm. Los Angeles police said witnesses heard a loud commotion before seeing Singh and an unhoused man swinging metal objects at each other.
“Both individuals were struck. The suspect further assaulted the victim while he was reportedly on the ground,” the LAPD said in a statement. Witnesses intervened by yelling at the attacker, who then fled the scene on a bicycle.A disturbing video from after the attack shows Singh sitting on the sidewalk in a pool of his own blood, with the weapon used in the attack lying nearby.
Singh has undergone three surgeries in the past week for broken facial bones and bleeding on the brain. He remains critical and in the ICU at a local hospital.
Surveillance image leads to arrestOn August 11, at around 9:40 pm, officers spotted the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Bo Richard Vitagliano, near Lankershim Boulevard and Arminta Street.
Police said a surveillance photo taken after the assault helped them track him down.
The LAPD said Vitagliano has an extensive criminal record, including arrests for narcotics offences, assault with a deadly weapon, and various weapons charges. He has been held on $1.115 million bail.
SALDEF calls for a full investigation
The Sikh American civil rights group SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund) confirmed it is in close contact with Singh’s family, the LAPD, and the local Sikh sangat to ensure support and transparency.
“At this moment, our hearts are with Mr. Singh and his loved ones,” said SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “We do not yet know whether this was a hate-motivated attack, but we do know that no one should fear for their safety in their community. Guided by Sikh values of nyay (justice), seva (selfless care), and Sarbat da Bhalla (the welfare of all), our focus must be on care, safety, and ensuring a full and thorough investigation.”
(Inputs from ABC News and SALDEF press release)
