News Summary
A 44-year-old man was arrested for the brutal assault of 70-year-old Harpal Singh, who was attacked with a golf club during his daily walk near a Sikh Gurdwara. Witnesses reported a chaotic scene as Vitagliano continued to strike Singh even after he fell. The victim remains in ICU following surgeries for severe injuries. LAPD, while investigating, does not classify the incident as a hate crime, raising concerns among community members. The Sikh Coalition is demanding clarity and safety amidst growing fears.
North Hollywood – A 44-year-old man named Bo Richard Vitagliano was arrested in connection with the brutal assault of a 70-year-old Sikh man, Harpal Singh, that took place on August 4. The attack occurred while Singh was out on his daily walk near the Sikh Gurdwara of Los Angeles on Lankershim Boulevard.
Vitagliano is accused of assaulting Singh using a golf club, resulting in critical injuries that require Singh to be hospitalized. Witnesses described a chaotic scene where two men were seen swinging metal objects at one another. In a disturbing turn, even after Singh fell to the ground, Vitagliano continued to deliver blows to him. Bystanders intervened by shouting at Vitagliano, which caused him to flee the scene on his bicycle.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) was quickly alerted and launched an investigation. Officers utilized surveillance footage to identify the suspect. Vitagliano was apprehended later that evening, around 9:40 p.m., at the intersection of Lankershim Boulevard and Arminta Street.
Vitagliano, who has a lengthy criminal history involving drugs, weapons charges, and previous assaults, is currently facing several serious charges. He has been charged with attempted murder, elder or dependent adult abuse, and assault with a deadly weapon. These charges include allegations of causing great bodily injury, notably targeting an elderly victim. He is being held on a bail of $1.115 million.
As of recent reports, Singh remains in the intensive care unit (ICU) and has undergone multiple surgeries to address severe head and facial injuries, including broken bones and bleeding in the brain. Sadly, Singh is presently unconscious and under sedation as he battles for his recovery.
The LAPD Chief, Jim McDonnell, reported that the attack seems to have stemmed from a property dispute and said it is not being treated as a hate crime, despite Singh’s identity as a member of the Sikh community. This determination has sparked skepticism among community members and organizations.
The Sikh Coalition has questioned the LAPD’s conclusion, stating that ruling out a bias motive at this stage is premature. In light of the incident, Singh’s brother, Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, called for greater community safety and challenged the reasoning behind the LAPD’s failure to classify the attack as a hate crime.
In response to growing community concerns regarding safety, the LAPD is enhancing patrols in the area where the incident occurred. The Sikh Coalition is also demanding a comprehensive explanation from LAPD officials, seeking clarity on how potential bias was assessed in this assault.
A preliminary hearing for Vitagliano is scheduled for August 26. As the investigation continues, the community remains on high alert and advocates for thorough and unbiased treatment of such violent incidents, stressing the importance of law enforcement recognizing the rising fears over safety in their neighborhoods.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Sikh Man in Critical Condition After Golf Club Assault
Sikh Community Demands Justice Following Golf Club Assault
Man Brutally Attacked with Golf Club in North Hollywood
Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Wikipedia: Sikhism
- NBC Los Angeles
- Google Search: North Hollywood Attack Sikh
- Los Angeles Times
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Assault
- KTLA
- Google News: Harpal Singh Attack
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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the LA Auto Show, Hollywood Film Awards, and the Los Angeles Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology that power the local economy such as Warner Bros. and SpaceX. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
