Deputies Say 8 Arrested in Possible Gay Bashing in West Hollywood

Eight people were arrested Sunday after they allegedly used baseball bats and a golf club to assault two men as they walked out of a West Hollywood cafe, a sheriff’s sergeant said.

Witnesses called authorities shortly after midnight Saturday to report the attack, an apparent gay-bashing, in front of a cafe in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, Sgt. John Baylis said.

Three men and five juveniles--all from the San Fernando Valley--piled into two cars and fled, a witness told sheriff’s deputies. The suspects were arrested a few minutes later after deputies spotted their vehicles. Baylis said two baseball bats and a golf club were found in the cars.

The five juveniles--whose ages ranged from 15 to 17--were released to their parents, Baylis said. The adults, Juan Huiza, 19 of North Hills, Marvin Henriquez, 20, of Van Nuys, and Guillermo Henriquez, 20, of Panorama City, were booked on suspicion of civil rights violations and assault with a deadly weapon.

While witnesses described the attack, the victims had not yet been found, Baylis said. “We believe the suspects’ actions were a violation of civil rights, i.e. gay-bashing,” he said.