San Rafael Recall Rally Assault Suspect Sought: Cops

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Authorities are asking for the public’s help locating an assault suspect who attacked a demonstrator Sunday afternoon at a political rally, the San Rafael Police Department said in a statement.

A pro-recall demonstrator suffered a fractured skull during the altercation, ABC7 News reports.

The victim was taken to a local hospital and was also diagnosed with a broken jaw, according to the report, which cites a fellow demonstrator at the pro-recall rally, Tief Gibbs.

Gibbs did not witness the alleged assault but spoke with others who had.

The police statement did not confirm the extent of the victim’s injuries.

The assault occurred at a rally on the US-101 freeway Coleman pedestrian overcrossing, police said.

The suspect fled before police arrival and is wanted on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and assault resulting in great bodily injury.

The suspect is described as a 25-to 35-year-old white man, between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet tall, weighing180 to 190 pounds, with shoulder-length curly red/blond hair, police said. He was wearing a light-colored – possibly blue or green shirt, blue jeans, and blue baseball hat.

Officers responded to multiple reports at around 3:20 p.m. of the suspect punching and kicking an older man who was then seen fleeing the overcrossing heading east toward the Coleman School area of San Rafael, police said.

Officers located several witnesses along with the victim on the ground, police said.

The San Rafael Fire Department was also summoned to assist the victim, police said.

Demonstrators were on the Coleman pedestrian overcrossing and had posted several banners on the chain-link fence, police said.

Just before 3:20 PM, the suspect walked onto the bridge from the east side and began cutting down the banners with a knife, police said.

"He was slashing our signs. And he slashed one sign completely down,” Gibbs told ABC 7 News. “It's completely torn and destroyed,"

An argument ensued when the victim confronted the suspect and the two men began pushing each other, police said.

The suspect began punching the victim, causing him to fall to the ground, according to police.

"The assailant came towards him and pushed him back and started punching him," Gibbs told the television station.

The suspect fled, walking back toward the east side of the overcrossing, police said.

Officers were unable to locate the suspect. It is believed the suspect left in a vehicle, police said.

The victim was transported to a local area hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, police said.

The case remains under investigation, according to police.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call San Rafael Police at (415) 485-3000. Tips can also be made online here.