Berkeley Hate Crime Suspect Charged

BERKELEY, CA — A 31-year-old man was arrested last week in connection with an attack on a homeless man that was motivated by hate, the Berkeley Police Department said.

The suspect, who has no known address, is accused of attacking a 51-year-old man while he was asleep at an encampment, police said.

The victim was hospitalized with head and upper body injuries, police said.

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Monday charged the suspect with assault with a deadly weapon including a special allegation for causing serious bodily injury, and willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics, which is considered a hate crime, police said.

The attack occurred Thursday at around 9:45 p.m. in the area of

Shattuck Avenue and Blake Street, police said.

The suspect used the victim’s guitar in the attack and also kicked and punched him according to police.

During the attack, the suspect made disparaging comments toward people of the LGBTQ community, police said.

As a result of the attack, the man was taken to a local hospital with injuries to his head and upper body.

The suspect fled the area before officers arrived, but witnesses provided a description of the suspect and knew the suspect’s nickname.

Because they frequently patrol the Shattuck Avenue corridor, Bike Force officers recognized the description of the suspect.

Bike Force officers located the suspect Friday morning in the 2500 block of Haste Street and arrested him.

A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim's real or perceived protected social group.

For more information about hate crimes and how to report such incidents visit the California Attorney General's website.