Huntington Beach police seek clues in alleged skateboard beating

Huntington Beach police are seeking more information about an attack that left a man in critical condition after he was allegedly beaten with skateboards.

Four teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with Friday’s incident, which authorities said began as an altercation between the 25-year-old victim and several skateboarders at Murdy Park.

The victim ran from the park after the fight, police said, but the skateboarders allegedly followed him into a shopping center across the street. The alleged attack took place in Surf City Laundromat, where officers found the victim with “significant blunt-force trauma injuries to the head.”

The man was rushed to an area hospital and remains in critical condition, police said Monday. Authorities have not released his name.

“Physical evidence” indicated the attack happened inside the laundromat, and an eyewitness pointed out seven male juveniles as possible suspects, police said. Only four were booked at Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Police told KTLA-TV the victim’s girlfriend tried to break up a fight between two groups of teenagers at Murdy Park, but some of the teens turned on her. That prompted her boyfriend to intervene, the television station reported.

The father of one of the suspect’s told KTLA the victim attacked the boys first.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the incidents at the park or the laundry to call Det. Pat Ellis at (714) 536-5971.

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