Man Arrested for Assaulting Elderly Sikh Near Los Angeles Gurdwara

Man Arrested for Assaulting Elderly Sikh: A suspect has been arrested in the brutal attack on a 70 year old Sikh man who was hit with a golf club in North Hollywood earlier this month and remains unconscious and in critical condition.

The victim’s brother and members of the Sikh community are praising the arrest but asking why the attack is not being treated as a hate crime.

Harpal Singh was taking his daily walk near the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles on August 4th when he was attacked, according to the Sikh Coalition. He has a skull fracture and internal bleeding in the brain and has had multiple surgeries, his family says.

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"Witnesses advised that they did not see how the altercation began, but heard a loud commotion, then witnessed two men swinging metal objects at each other," police said in a news release. "Both individuals were struck. The suspect further assaulted the victim, while he was reportedly on the ground. Witnesses intervened by yelling at the suspect, at which time he rode away on his bicycle."

After reviewing surveillance footage, the LAPD arrested Bo Richard Vitagliano, 44, for assault with a deadly weapon. He’s being held on a $1.2 million bail.

McDonnell described Vitagliano as an unhoused man with an extensive criminal record for assault with a deadly weapon, narcotics and several weapons charges.

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"Based on the evidence in this matter, North Hollywood detectives believe the assault was not a hate crime," McDonnell said.

Singh has a skull fracture and potential brain trauma, according to LAPD. He’s had several surgeries and remains unconscious in the hospital, according to his family.

"I am grateful to hear that the police have arrested a suspect for the horrific assault of my brother, but we need to better understand this attack and why it is not being considered a hate crime," said Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, Singh's brother. "Justice must be served, and our local Sikh community must know that the area around our gurdwara—where we gather to worship, learn, connect, eat, and serve others—is safe for all."

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