Elderly Sikh Man Assaulted in Los Angeles; Suspect Arrested

New York, Aug 13 (PTI) — An elderly Sikh man has been brutally assaulted in Los Angeles, resulting in a skull fracture and potential brain trauma. Authorities have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the attack.

Harpal Singh, aged 70, was taking his daily walk near the Sikh Gurdwara in Los Angeles on August 4 when he was assaulted by a man identified as Bo Richard Vitagliano, who is described as “unhoused”. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the 44-year-old Vitagliano was apprehended on Monday and charged with the assault, described as particularly brutal.

Vitagliano has been booked for assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a bail set at USD 1.1 million.

While the suspect is in custody, the incident is not currently being investigated as a hate crime, according to the advocacy group The Sikh Coalition. They noted that Singh sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition.

The police reported that on August 4, they responded to a call concerning an "assault with a deadly weapon." Early investigations revealed a physical altercation between Singh and Vitagliano. Witness accounts indicated they heard a commotion and observed both men swinging metal objects at each other. Vitagliano allegedly continued to assault Singh after he fell to the ground, departing on a bicycle when bystanders yelled at him.

Emergency medics from the Los Angeles Fire Department attended to Singh and transported him to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a skull fracture and potential brain trauma. Singh remains under medical care.

Vitagliano's criminal history includes multiple offenses involving narcotics, assault with deadly weapons, and various weapon charges. Based on the available evidence, police have so far concluded that the assault was motivated by a property dispute, not driven by hate crime intentions.

Additional police patrols will be conducted in the area in response to the incident, as officers engage with the local community to discuss safety concerns, especially those pertaining to the Sikh community.

The Sikh Coalition stressed it's "impossible to completely rule out that this is a hate crime at this stage." They mentioned that Harpal Singh remains unconscious, hindering the possibility of a full police interview with appropriate translation services. They insist that if, following a detailed interview, the LA police still determine it is not a hate crime, a public clarification must be issued.

Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, Singh’s brother, expressed gratitude for the arrest but emphasized the need for clarity on the attack’s classification, stressing the importance of justice and community safety around their place of worship.

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