Los Angeles Man Arrested In Attack That Left 49ers Fan In Coma

INGLEWOOD, CA — A Los Angeles man faces a possible assault charge in an attack in the parking lot of SoFi stadium that left a 49ers fan in a medically-induced coma.

Bryan Alexis Cifuentes, 33, was booked on suspicion of assault by means to produce great bodily injury. He was released on $30,000 bail around 1 a.m. Friday, Inglewood Mayor James Butts said at a news conference.

Authorities used surveillance footage to track Cifuentes' vehicle following the attack, which happened after the NFC Championship game, the mayor said. Cifuentes was brought to a police station in Inglewood for questioning where he was arrested, Butts said.

"City and Police officials are currently in the process of preparing a statement to be released regarding the circumstances of this incident sometime today," Inglewood police Lt. Geoffrey Meeks said in a statement to City News Service on Friday morning.

Daniel Luna, the 49ers fan, allegedly shoved a man wearing a Rams jersey from behind during an altercation at Sunday's NFC championship game at SoFi Stadium, Butts said at a Thursday evening news conference. Upon review of surveillance footage, investigators determined Luna was mingling with a group of people primarily wearing red 49ers jerseys when he shoved a man in a Rams jersey from behind, Butts said.

"The suspect then retaliated by pushing Mr. Luna from behind, and then struck (him) once in the mouth area," Butts said. "Luna then fell to the ground, where he was later found by security personnel who summoned paramedics."

The man who punched Luna was seen in the security footage interacting with the occupants of a vehicle following the altercation before he left the scene.

As Los Angeles Patch previously reported, Luna was fighting for his life at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after suffering wounds to his face and upper body.

Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects nor a motive for the attack, which did not appear to be robbery. Luna, 40, of Oakland, was found in the Parking Lot L at SoFi Stadium at 4 p.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Times. His injuries were consistent with an attack.

A cousin of Cifuentes told KTLA5 on Friday the attack did not stem from fan rivalry, and that Luna instigated the fight because he was intoxicated. Luna flew to Los Angeles and attended the game by himself when other fans canceled plans to join him, The Times reported. Luna owns the Oakland Peruvian fusion restaurant Mistura.

Officials said they aren't concerned about safety for the Super Bowl.

"I don't think there's anything to worry about," Butts said. "The reality is that this was a ... two-shove, one-punch altercation. The greatest damage was done because he (Luna) landed on the back of his head on the pavement. So I don't think this has any implications for safety."

The assault evoked memories of past violence involving Northern California and Southern California sports fans including the 2011 beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow in a Dodger Stadium parking lot that left him with brain damage as well as the 2019 beating of Dodgers fan as he face-timed his wife.

City News Service contributed to this report.