Planet Fitness Gym Attack: Trial Date Set For Defendant

CORONA, CA — A Feb. 24 trial date was confirmed Monday for a 32-year-old man accused of attacking a Corona fitness club patron with a hatchet and knife, injuring the victim until he was able to overpower the defendant.

Ronald Vikash Chand of Santa Ana allegedly perpetrated the attack in 2023 inside the Planet Fitness at 3685 Grand Oaks, near Cajalco Road.

Chand is charged with attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon resulting in great bodily injury, mayhem and vandalism.

For most of the last year, the defendant has undergone a series of psychiatric evaluations to determine whether he is mentally competent to stand trial. The doctors assigned to the case evidently did not find any indications of psychological disorders.

During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Monday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Melissa Hale conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding scheduling, and both sides agreed to be prepared to move forward with trial proceedings at the end of February.

The defendant is being held on $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.

According to the Corona Police Department, a 41-year-old Riverside man, whose name was not released, was in the fitness club parking lot when Chand confronted him shortly after 9 a.m. March 14, 2023, wielding a hatchet and knife.

Without provocation, the defendant allegedly struck the victim with the hatchet and stabbed him with the knife, resulting in "stab wounds to the upper body," prompting the man to retreat into the Planet Fitness, Sgt. Jason Waldon said.

"While inside, Chand held the victim at knifepoint for a short period before being taken to the ground by the victim and was disarmed and detained with the assistance of bystanders," Waldon said.

He said gym staff called 911, and patrol officers reached the location minutes later, taking Chand into custody without further incident.

"The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non- life-threatening injuries," the sergeant said, adding that the man ultimately recovered.

Chand suffered an unspecified minor injury and was also treated before being taken to jail.

A possible motive for the attack was unknown.

Chand has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.