A 41-year-old motorcyclist was injured Sunday night after being struck with a bat during a road rage incident, Pasadena Police Lieutenant Anthony Russo.
The assault occurred at 10:27 p.m. at Glenarm Street and Arroyo Parkway, according to Russo. Officers responded to reports of a fight in progress and found the victim with visible bruising to his upper back and pain in his left hand. His helmet was broken by the bat but prevented a head injury, Russo said.
The suspect, identified as Jose Gomez, 38, of Los Angeles, got out of his vehicle after a verbal argument at a stoplight and allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a metal bat and wooden dowel, Russo said.
During the altercation, Gomez’s girlfriend reportedly pushed the victim’s motorcycle to the ground, causing damage.
In self-defense, the victim drew a pocket knife and stabbed Gomez once in the left side as the suspect advanced, Russo said. Gomez fled from the scene in his car but was detained shortly afterward by officers.
An independent witness confirmed seeing Gomez chase and strike the victim with the bat, according to Russo.
Both men sustained injuries. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene, while Gomez was transported to a local hospital for treatment before being booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Russo said.
No charges have been filed against the suspect’s girlfriend, though Russo noted her actions may have constituted vandalism.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241 or report information anonymously by contacting “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) via your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
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