Chula Vista Police Wednesday announced the arrest of six suspects in an assault and robbery of a 16-year-old boy that occurred at a Chula Vista restaurant.
Four juveniles and two adults were arrested, all suspected of participating in the attack. A video of the attack was shared on social media and gained significant media attention. All six suspects were identified, in part, by the video.
Police originally responded to the assault on April 11 at the Cotixan Mexican Restaurant located on East Palomar Street in Chula Vista. A 16-year old juvenile reported being beaten and robbed by several suspects.
Chula Vista Police say they worked with representatives of the Sweetwater Union High School District, the District Attorney’s Office, and several other officials. The victim and family, along with representatives of the Cotixan restaurant, all cooperated in the investigation. Police say the San Diego Unified School District helped police to identify the attackers.
Four of the suspects were juveniles, aged between 15 and 17 years old. All of them attended Morse High School but have since been suspended. They were transported to San Diego County Juvenile Hall. The identity of the juveniles is not being released.
Two of the suspects were adults. Police identified them as Kent Pasunting, 18) and Aldrin Uy, 19. Both suspects lived in San Diego and attended Mark Twain High School, an alternative/continuation high school with a campus located at Morse High School. The adults were arrested on April 16th and transported to the San Diego County Central Detention Facility. The suspects admitted to participating in the assault.
Chula Vista police say the assault appeared to be related to an ongoing online dispute between the victim and one of the juvenile attackers. The dispute began last month when the victim and suspect got into a heated exchange on social media over comments made to one of the victim’s friends.
On April 11th the victim and his girlfriend were sitting at the Cotixan restaurant when the suspects walked-in unexpectedly. Police believe the suspects entered the restaurant with the intent to attack the victim. The suspects confronted the victim and the group began assaulting him. The victim suffered a fractured left wrist. All suspects were arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary.
(Photo credit 10News)