Emergency Surgery for Victim of Beating Near Jackson Drive Taco Shop

La Mesa police are looking for two men who attacked a 43-year-old man two days ago. The unnamed victim first declined treatment but on Monday was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital in Kearny Mesa, where he required emergency surgery for severe head trauma.

The attack happened about 1:55 a.m. Saturday, when the victim was punched and kicked in the 5500 block of Jackson Drive, near Rigoberto’s Taco Shop, and took some personal property, said La Mesa police. 

“At the time, the victim only noticed minor injuries and declined medical treatment,” police said in a news release.

But Monday,  “the victim began suffering from severe head pain and was transported by medics to Sharp Memorial Hospital. It was then discovered the victim was suffering from severe head trauma, requiring emergency surgery.  He remains at the hospital in stable condition.”

The assailants were described as two black male adults in their late teens or early 20s.  One suspect was wearing a baseball cap and red shirt. 

La Mesa police are seeking any witnesses who might have been in the area of the taco shop Saturday.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the La Mesa Police Department at 619-667-1400 or the Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477; you also can email or text anonymously at sdcrimestoppers.com. 

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to a felony arrest.