California Teen could be charged with hate crime

Times-Delta/Advance-Register

A Tulare teenager suspected of robbery could also be charged with committing a hate crime, police said.

Two youths, ages 13 and 14, were skateboarding at Tulare Western High School on Friday evening when they were approached by three older juveniles, who began harassing them, police said.

Police said one of the older boys, who was later identified as the robber, attacked the 13-year-old, grabbing him by the head, placing him in a head lock, throwing him to the ground and punching him in the face — before beating him with a skateboard.

Police said the accused robber, addressing the older of the two victims, used a slur tied to sexual orientation.

Officers later tracked down the 16-year-old still in possession of the two skateboards.

Two additional suspects remain free.


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