THOUSAND OAKS : Attack Investigated as a Hate Crime

Three Latino males armed with a golf club and a knife attacked two African-American men in Thousand Oaks in what Ventura County sheriff’s deputies are investigating as a hate crime.

Two of the assailants fled, but deputies arrested one 15-year-old boy on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and violation of the men’s civil rights, Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Montijo said Thursday. The suspect’s name was not revealed because of his age.

The victims, Wilburn Barnett, 38, of Anaheim and Derek Andrews, 20, of Thousand Oaks, did not require treatment for their injuries, according to the report.

Montijo reported that Barnett and Andrews were entering an apartment complex in the 200 block of Wilbur Road at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday when they were confronted by three Latino males. Andrews lives in the complex.

An argument between the groups escalated into a fight, and the 15-year-old allegedly beat Barnett about the head and torso with a golf club, the report said. Another assailant used a kitchen knife to slash at Andrews, who defended himself with a steel steering-wheel lock device. Andrews suffered a superficial injury to his neck, the report said.

Sgt. Dan Coons said that during the fight, the windshield of Barnett’s car was smashed and a tire was slashed before neighbors grabbed one of the assailants and the other two ran.

The 15-year-old was booked into Juvenile Hall pending appearance in Juvenile Court, the report said.