Two attempted murder charges filed Attempted murder...
Two attempted murder charges filed
Attempted murder charges were filed in two separate attacks
outside of Laguna Beach restaurants.
The first of the attacks was reported on June 17, outside of
Javier’s Cantina and Grill on South Coast Highway. Police said
Matthew Kenneth Kimball, 29, of Foothill Ranch got into an argument
with Valli Craig, 34, of Irvine. When Craig was distracted by an
onlooker to the dispute, Kimball allegedly punched Craig in the face,
knocking him to the ground. After the victim was down, Kimball
reportedly continued to attack Craig.
“When [Craig] goes down on the ground, he’s repeatedly kicked by
the suspect in the head and chest area,” Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.
Lenyi said Kimball continued to kick Craig even as a witness tried
to drag Craig to safety inside the restaurant. Kimball then got into
a BMW driven by Raymond Fraire, 52, of Aliso Viejo. Craig was
arrested at about 10:12 p.m. by officers who were already sent to
Javier’s to respond to the argument.
Kimball was booked on attempted murder and held on $1 million
bail. Fraire was arrested on suspicion of driving under the
influence.
Police did not reveal the nature of Craig’s injuries and said he
was taken by ambulance to Mission Hospital. The hospital did not have
information available on his condition.
The second attack, which was reported on Saturday, happened
outside the Royal Hawaiian restaurant on North Coast Highway. Police
said Benjamin Tomkinson, 18, of Laguna Beach suffered multiple brain
contusions and a broken jaw after he was attacked by two men. As of
Wednesday, he was listed in serious condition.
Tomkinson was assaulted after he came out of the Royal Hawaiian
with a group of women, police said. People in another group standing
by a limousine made rude comments to the women and people in both
groups began arguing with each other.
During the argument, Martin Jackson, 23, of Lake Forest, walked
behind Tomkinson and punched him in the back of the head, knocking
him down, Lenyi said. One of Jackson’s companions, Shawheen
Shafizadeh, 20, of Laguna Niguel, kicked Tomkinson in the head after
Jackson’s attack.
Jackson ran away, but Shafizadeh was arrested at about 11:56 p.m.
and booked on suspicion of attempted murder. An arrest warrant has
been issued for Jackson.
Jackson is described as 5-foot-10, weighing 150 pounds and having
brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on Jackson’s
whereabouts is asked to call the Laguna Beach Police Department at
(949) 497-0701.
Man assaulted after night out
A man reported he was assaulted by a friend who pointed a handgun
at him. Police did not reveal the name of the victim for his
protection. The man who allegedly attacked the victim has not been
arrested and the case is still under investigation.
On Thursday, the man and three of his friends went out for dinner
and drinks at the Cabana Restaurant in South Laguna, after leaving
the restaurant, the four went to the victim’s home in the 31000 block
of South Coast Highway. While at the victim’s home, the attacker
allegedly started a fight after no apparent provocation, police said.
“[The] suspect walks up to the victim for no reason, and he knows
him and they’re friends, and assaults him,” Sgt. Darin Lenyi said.
The other two men broke up the fight, and the attacker left, Lenyi
said. Five minutes later, the attacker knocked on the door, and when
the victim answered, the attacker aimed a handgun at the victim’s
chest. The victim told the attacker to leave and shut the door.
The victim suffered abrasions, a bloody nose, a loose tooth and
extreme headaches that made it difficult to sleep. While receiving
treatment on Sunday, a nurse contacted police who were at the
hospital for an unrelated matter, Lenyi said.
Car strikes two, no serious injuries
Two men escaped with minor injuries after they were struck by a
car in Laguna Beach on Friday.
The accident was reported at 11:03 a.m. Friday at the intersection
of South Coast Highway and Cress Street. Police said Paige Vickery,
58, of Laguna Niguel, took her eyes off the road and drove her
Volkswagen Beetle over the curb, hitting a light pole and the two
men.
“She looked down instead of making that little curve on the
highway and she went up the sidewalk,” Sgt. Greg Bartz said.
Christopher Silver, 18, of Palm Desert and Ryan Abila, 26, of
Vallejo, were both knocked down but not seriously hurt. Police said
Silver received abrasions on his elbows and left shin and, and Abila
felt pain in his right shoulder. Both were treated and released at
South Coast Medical Plaza.
Vickery received a citation for failing to maintain her vehicle in
the lane, Bartz said.
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