The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) released nearly a dozen photos Tuesday of several people who witnessed the brutal attack of a man in the Gaslamp Quarter – an attack that left the victim paralyzed.
The black and white and color photos, captured on surveillance cameras belonging to surrounding businesses, are fuzzy but show several men and women recording the attack on their cell phones.
[G] Photos: Witnesses Sought in Gaslamp Attack
The SDPD said the people in the pictures are not considered suspects, only witnesses who could have key evidence or details that could help investigators working this case. Police are hoping to identify these witnesses and are asking them to come forward with any information or videos they may have.
The images were captured on Aug. 27 at around 2 a.m. near the intersection of 4th Avenue and Market Street in downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. According to police, a 29-year-old man and his friend tried to break up a fight on the street between several people.
As the man intervened, a group involved in the fight attacked the victim, kicking and hitting him on the head while he was on the ground, investigators said. The victim suffered major injuries. SDPD Lt. Martha Sainz said the man is now a paraplegic as a result of the attack.
"The family has been impacted by this -- they're devastated," the lieutenant told NBC 7. "It's been a life-changing event for the victim."
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The Gaslamp Quarter assault is under investigation. The SDPD said any witnesses can come forward and provide details to investigators by calling (619) 744-9534.
"We are seeking justice," said Sainz. "We want to find additional people that saw what happened. We know that there's cellphone footage out there."
