Prosecutors are looking for more witnesses after an alleged attack on five African-American teens in rural East County.
The alleged victims said their wounds have healed but their scars are a constant reminder of what happened one night in April. The teens said the attack was racially motivated.
However, the rural Deerhorn Valley homeowner who threw the party, Jerry Arnold, said the attack never happened and that the victims were injured in a car crash.
"It seems like every time black people are involved in something and they are scared, they start calling race," Arnold said. "That's been their out for hundreds of years and they still use it."
Investigators said that they have a few suspects but are still waiting for more information before they make any arrests.
The victims said what took place constitutes a hate crime. They said the incident took place when they went to the house party, where more than 150 people were in attendance.
The teenagers said they were physically attacked inside the house and that when they attempted to leave in their black Mitsubishi Galant, some of the party guests threw rocks, bottles and a metal pipe at their car.
The driver said he lost control as a result and crashed into a nearby parked car. The attackers then continued to throw things while shouting racial slurs.
"I can't believe this is going on and they haven't arrested nobody," said victim Chris White. "The guys that did this to us are still roaming free."
Investigators said they have interviewed 80 people, including the homeowner, in connection with the case.
Now, CrimeStoppers is getting involved, hoping a reward of more than $1,000 will entice people into talking.
"The DA's office actually came to us," said Sally Cox of CrimeStoppers. "They feel like they need more information in this case, so we wanted to make sure that everyone knows they can come forward by calling our anonymous tip line."
Part of the CrimeStoppers reward is coming from a special hate-crime fund.
