San Diego police seek suspect in Gaslamp attack that left security guard paralyzed – NBC 7 San Diego

San Diego police on Tuesday asked the public for help in locating the person who attacked a security guard during an altercation in the Gaslamp Quarter, leaving the victim partially paralyzed.

On June 16, a fight broke out on the sidewalk in the 500 block of F Street around 3:30 a.m., said Detective Sgt. Wesley McDonald of the San Diego Police Department. The exact circumstances of the fight are unknown.

“During the altercation, a 24-year-old security guard attempted to break up a fight between two men,” McDonald said. “The suspect punched the security guard in the face. The victim attempted to defend himself, causing both the suspect and the victim to fall to the ground. It appears the suspect pulled the victim to the ground, causing the victim to strike the curb with his neck.”

The suspect then fled the area in an unknown direction, McDonald said.

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of several serious injuries, including a fractured vertebra, and is now paralyzed from the waist down, McDonald said.

“There was a large crowd of people who witnessed this incident and most likely filmed it on their cell phones,” McDonald said. “Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed this incident to contact them.”

The suspect was described as a man in his mid-20s, 6’4″ tall and weighing approximately 220 to 225 pounds. He was last seen wearing black pants, black and red tennis shoes, and a black shirt with a large red logo on the front and back.

Anyone with information has been asked to call the SDPD’s Central Division at 619-744-9512 or Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1,000 to anyone with information leading to the attacker.