Angel Stadium beating: Fan identified, beating likely not motivated by team rivalry

ANAHEIM, Calif. (KABC) -- Family and friends have identified the fan who was beaten in the parking lot of the Stadium after Friday's game.

Eyewitness News has learned Alex Arredondo, 43, is a U.S. Marine veteran of Huntington Beach and a father of three.

In earlier reports, Eyewitness News identified Arredondo as a current Los Angeles Police Department officer. Police later clarified that the victim is a former LAPD officer who separated from the department in 2012.

"There's no information in our investigation to indicate what this victim did as a former occupation has anything to do with the attack," said Anaheim police Lt. Bob Dunn.

The beating was likely not motivated by team rivalry, and police say both the victim and the suspect were dressed in Angels gear.

The victim was assaulted as he walked with a family member to their car after the Angels' playoff game against the Kansas City Royals around 10:30 p.m. Friday.

The victim, a diehard Angels fan, was attacked for no apparent reason, Dunn said.

Officers told Eyewitness News that Arredondo was unresponsive when they arrived. He was put on life support at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange, where he was listed in critical condition. His condition was upgraded to serious but stable around midday Monday.

"We're hoping that as he continues to improve, we'll be able to speak with him about what happened," said Dunn.

In an exclusive interview, a mother and daughter, who witnessed the beating, say the suspect struck without warning.

"It was a random attack, it looks like, there was no arguing, there was no yelling. It was all just really surprising," one 15-year-old witness said, who only wanted to be identified as Morgan.

"The guy ran up on him from behind," said Morgan's mother, Sandra. "No shouting, nothing, it was just really quick, 'boom, boom, boom,' and then the guy went down. He got him really good and then he ran off."

Two other suspects allegedly ran off with him. The incident occurred so fast that Morgan and Sandra say they were unable to get a good look at the suspect.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are cooperating with Anaheim police as they search for the suspects and an answer for the brutal attack.

In a statement to Eyewitness News, the team said, "the safety and fan experience is the focus of our organization. It's an unfortunate incident. We wish the gentleman and his family the best. We hope that the investigation will unfold the way it should," adding that security is evaluated every night on a regular basis, and that, "that night, the response was immediate."

Officers said alcohol played a role in the attack. They believe Arredondo and other people in the area were intoxicated at the time of the attack, which is making the investigation more difficult.

"Now we're trying to get the best and most accurate information we can, and that's proven to be difficult because of the intoxication of some of the people involved," said Dunn.

Anaheim police are asking anyone who may have photos or videos from that night to contact them immediately.