A homeless man with a long criminal history viciously beat a 70-year-old Sikh man with a golf club near his place of worship, according to California cops — with the victim seen soaked in blood before being put in a medically induced coma.
The attacker approached Harpal Singh on a bike in North Hollywood on Aug. 4 — then repeatedly bashed him with the club, before walking away, according to KTLA.
Disturbing footage shows the battered 70-year-old stoically sitting cross-legged on the ground, completely covered in blood — and left holding the club used to beat him.
Singh was filmed calmly sitting on the ground after the vicious attack. justice for Harpal Singh
Singh was put in a medically induced coma with a fractured skull and possible brain damage.
Bo Richard Vitagliano, 44, was arrested Monday night — a week after the attack — and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters at a press conference Tuesday.
The “unhoused” suspect has “an extensive criminal record,” including for narcotics, weapons and assault with a deadly weapon, the chief said.
Singh remained in a medically-induced coma as of Monday, a week after he was attacked. justice for Harpal Singh
The attack happened not far from the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles — Singh’s regular place of worship — but religion did not appear to be a factor in the attack, the chief said.
“Based on the evidence in this matter, North Hollywood detectives believe the assault was not a hate crime,” McDonnell stated.
It instead seemed to be “motivated by a dispute over property belonging to the victim,” the chief said, without elaborating on what.
Vitagliano approached Singh on a bike and beat him with a golf club. ktla5
However, the Sikh Coalition, an organization supporting the rights of Sikhs in the US, said they believe “it is impossible to completely rule out a bias motive at this stage.”
Cops would make extra patrols in the area, the chief said, to reassure members of the sikh community worshipping there.
