Police identify second victim of unprovoked beating

SAN JOSE, California. – Authorities have identified a second victim of an unprovoked attack on a VTA platform in San Jose.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said there was another victim in the incident at the Children’s Discovery Museum VTA station on Wednesday.

Shortly before the suspect, 26-year-old Andrew Perez, beat a 45-year-old man bloody, Perez had initially pursued another victim on the platform, officials said. For unknown reasons, Perez then turned his attention to the 45-year-old victim, whom he did not recognize.

In the attack, captured on surveillance video from the VTA platform and released by the sheriff’s office, Perez and the victim appear to be engaged in a conversation. Perez then approaches the man and punches him in the face.

Perez then throws the victim to the ground and kicks him in the head. When the victim tries to escape, Perez puts him in a chokehold.

The video then changes perspective, apparently switching to a second camera on the platform. Perez then begins a seemingly endless barrage of punches and kicks. The video ends with the victim running off the platform and Perez seemingly following him.

The victim was “covered from head to torso with bright red blood,” officials said.

Andrew Perez is accused of an assault at the VTA Children’s Discovery Museum Station on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

He suffered a 20 to 25 centimetre long cut on his forehead, which had to be closed with seven staples. He suffered another 10 centimetre long cut on his elbow and a third on his left wrist. His condition is stable.

Perez was later arrested after being found barricaded in a nearby residence.

He faces a number of charges, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, stalking and disturbing the peace.

Authorities said the attack was unprovoked and Perez did not know his victims.