Davis, CA – Two Vacaville teens who allegedly took part in an hate-crime beating outside a Rite-Aid store were arrested by Davis police following a two-month investigation.
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Sean Kennedy, 18, was arrested during a vehicle stop near his home. And detectives arrested a 17-year-old boy at his high school.
Davis police Lt. Colleen Turay said the two suspects played major roles in the beating, with the 17-year-old allegedly throwing the first punch and Kennedy allegedly beating the victim with a studded belt.
The victim was identified as an 18-year-old Jewish man who reportedly walked by six to seven people chanting "white pride" and racist comments outside the Rite-Aid store on Russell Boulevard and Anderson Road shortly before 1 a.m. As the victim walked by, one of the suspects said to him, "You're down with that, right?" according to police reports. When the victim said he was not, several of the suspects attacked him, with one allegedly removing a silver-studded belt from his waist and hitting the teen with it, Turay said.
The suspects fled in a car when a witness yelled that police were on their way, and the victim was treated at Sutter Davis Hospital for facial swelling and cuts to his head and neck.
Turay said detectives identified the suspects from a license-plate number as well as from the victim himself, who later discovered he shared a mutual friend with the suspects.
Both Kennedy and the 17-year-old were lodged at detention facilities in Woodland on battery and hate-crime charges, with Kennedy facing an additional charge of assault with a deadly weapon for his alleged use of the belt, Turay said.
Meanwhile, the investigation of the case continues, and additional arrests are possible.
