The 23-year-old victim, identified by family members as Kim Pham, remains on life support after being beaten unconscious outside of The Crosby Saturday. Pham's family posted on Facebook Monday that she is brain dead and is being kept on life support so that she can be an organ donor.
"I can't believe something like this would happen to someone, especially my cousin," said Kathleen Trinh. "She was always a fun loving person. She has a bubbly personality. Anyone that's around her is always happy. She has an uplifting spirit."
The incident unfolded outside the restaurant and bar in the 400 block of North Broadway around 12:30 a.m.
Upon further investigation, authorities learned that the victim was waiting to enter The Crosby in Santa Ana with some friends when an argument broke out with another group of patrons. The argument eventually escalated into a physical fight.
"We believe our victim and her friends were in line and there was something that precipitated a verbal argument," said Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna.
Cellphone video posted online shows a snippet of the violent confrontation that followed. Police say she was punched and kicked until she lost consciousness.
"The suspects were listed as two males and three females, Hispanic between 20 and 25 years of age," said Bertagna.
Police say several tips have led to at least one arrest.
"Based on the info we have received, I can tell you we currently have one female in custody; she's a female in her 20's, she is a Santa Ana resident," said Bertagna.
The female suspect was booked for assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury. Her identity was not released pending further investigation.
As authorities search for at least two male and two other female suspects, police say Pham remains on life support.
Family and friends dropped off flowers and lit candles at a growing memorial near the spot where Pham was brutally beaten Saturday.
"She's really educated, smart. She has a lot of friends, you know, and everybody loves her, everybody likes her, and she's very sweet and kind-hearted," said Johnson Lam, Pham's friend.
Representatives for The Crosby say they are working with the Santa Ana Police Department to investigate the incident. They say it is the first incident of its kind to be associated with the bar and restaurant.
Downtown, Inc., a group of local Santa Ana leaders, business owners and residents, and representatives from The Crosby are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of the individuals responsible for Pham's attack.
If you have any information or took video of the incident, you're urged to contact the Santa Ana Police Department's Crimes Against Persons Unit at (714) 245-8390. You can also call OC Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS.
