5 youngsters are dealing with felony costs, together with assault and hate crimes, after allegedly attacking a number of folks within the parking zone of a Simi Valley movie show, officers introduced Friday.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Aug. 2 within the Regal Cinemas parking zone on Tapo Canyon Street, in accordance with the Ventura County District Lawyer’s Workplace. Authorities stated the teenagers assaulted no less than three victims. Two of the teenagers are additionally charged in a separate altercation in the identical lot on Might 30.
The suspects embrace three 17-year-olds and two 16-year-olds. Their names haven’t been launched as a result of they’re minors.
One of many victims, 18-year-old Michael Robinson, instructed KTLA that the assault was racially motivated. He stated he was having fun with an evening out with buddies when a bunch of intoxicated teenagers started harassing one in every of his companions, with whom that they had prior points. The scenario escalated shortly.
“They hit one in every of my buddies within the face first,” Robinson stated. “Then they hit one other. Then they rushed me whereas I used to be between two vehicles. I managed to get out and bumped into the parking zone. That’s after they slammed me into the hood of a automobile and jumped me.”
Cellphone video captured by a witness reveals Robinson being chased, overwhelmed and purportedly subjected to racial slurs
Footage of an altercation between a bunch of youths and a sufferer is proven. The sufferer, who was holding up a chair in self-defense, was surrounded by the group, who was hurling profanities at him. The sufferer then ran away, however his assailants pursued and began beating him in an outside space.
Video circulating on social media that has been obtained by KTLA reveals the second a late-night assault broke out close to a movie show in Simi Valley on Aug. 2, 2025.
Michael Robsinon, 18, speaks with KTLA on Aug. 5, 2025, after he stated he was violently assaulted by a bunch of juveniles in a racially-motivated assault outdoors a Simi Valley movie show. (KTLA)
Video circulating on social media that has been obtained by KTLA reveals the second a late-night assault broke out close to a movie show in Simi Valley on Aug. 2, 2025.
Video circulating on social media that has been obtained by KTLA reveals the second a late-night assault broke out close to a movie show in Simi Valley on Aug. 2, 2025.
One of many three movies included within the submit (which additionally contained a slide of images of among the alleged suspects) reveals one of many teenagers within the neighborhood on the time leaning casually in opposition to a Simi Valley Police Division squad automobile proper subsequent to officers.
Throughout a Simi Valley Metropolis council assembly on Aug. 4, 2025, residents known as for justice and that the suspects must be held accountable for his or her actions in what they are saying is a racially-motivated hate crime assault. (KTLA)
Robinson stated he tried to run away, then tried to defend himself with a chair because the group surrounded him and hurled profanities.
“They nonetheless caught me, and after they caught me, they determined they had been going to place my head within the trash can and proceeded to hit me behind my head,” Robinson stated.
The assault left Robinson with a concussion, cuts, bruises and a chipped tooth. He stated he didn’t know any of the assailants. After Robinson and his mom reported the assault, a legal investigation was launched.
4 of the teenagers had been arrested on Aug. 3. A fifth suspect was recognized later. One of many teenagers is the son of a Simi Valley police officer, in accordance with the division, which stated the officer shouldn’t be concerned within the investigation.
On Oct. 3, the district lawyer’s workplace introduced costs in opposition to all 5 juveniles:
Three teenagers had been charged with felony assault with drive prone to produce nice bodily damage, with a particular allegation of a hate crime. One teen faces the identical felony assault cost, together with misdemeanor legal threats and misdemeanor battery. The fifth teen was charged with misdemeanor legal threats and misdemeanor battery.
“Hate crimes unfold worry, division and violence all through a complete neighborhood,” District Lawyer Erik Nasarenko stated in a press release. “Our workplace is dedicated to holding these youth accountable and guaranteeing that justice is delivered for the victims and our neighborhood.”
All 5 teenagers are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 10 on the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Middle in Oxnard.
Morgan Ball, Vivian Chow, Angelique Brenes and Will Conybeare contributed to this report.
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