Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies continued their investigation into a possible hate crime, after an altercation at a Starbucks in Valencia that resulted in two arrests, law enforcement officials said Thursday.
Deputies received reports of a possible assault with a deadly weapon around noon. Sgt. Erick Jepson said deputies who responded learned of an altercation between three people at a Starbucks on the 24200 block of Valencia Boulevard.
Law enforcement officials are still investigating what prompted the altercation, according to SCV Sheriff’s Station spokeswoman Shirley Miller, but deputies have thus far learned after speaking with witnesses that the incident occurred when a man was sitting outside of the Starbucks.
“An argument ensued between the two male adult suspects and the victim,” she said. “One of the suspects allegedly said a racially derogatory statement, then threw a chair at the victim. The suspect went to their car and the victim was struck by the car when they were backing up.”
The two men fled the scene in the vehicle, and deputies commenced their search. The suspects were later found and arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime, Miller said.
Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel also responded to the scene for reports of a traffic collision but confirmed no one was hurt, according to spokesman Marvin Lim.
