Boy Beaten in 4th Suspected Racial Attack

In the fourth suspected race-related attack in the Antelope Valley in eight days, a 15-year-old white boy was kicked in the back in a Lancaster supermarket by a black teenager who shouted “you skinheads!” at him and two companions, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday.

The attack occurred at the Max Foods store on Ave I about 7 p.m. Monday, sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Nelson said. The boy suffered minor bruises but did not require medical treatment.

An African American male, who appeared to be about 16 or 17, approached the victim, his 16-year-old friend and the friend’s 43-year-old mother as they prepared to go into the store, Nelson said. Without provocation, deputies said, the suspect began cursing and shouting at the trio.

The family tried to ignore him, but the youth cornered the 15-year-old in the store, pummeled him to the ground and kicked him in the back. The victim escaped by running. There had been no arrests.

The attack occurred as the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station commander, Capt. Mike Aranda, met with a group of elected officials and local civil rights leaders to discuss the outbreak of racial incidents.