Protest at staffer’s home probed
The FBI is investigating possible links between animal-rights activists in Southern California and a weekend incident at the home of a UC Santa Cruz researcher.
Patti Hanson, an FBI spokeswoman, said the bureau was examining possible connections to “domestic terrorism.” A demonstration by six masked protesters in front of the home Sunday afternoon turned violent when the group pounded on the door and was confronted by the researcher’s husband, police said.
The husband was hit on the hand by an unknown object and fought back, throwing a punch or two, according to police. The incident invited comparison to recent attacks on UCLA researchers that were linked to animal-rights groups. No one has claimed responsibility for the Santa Cruz incident, and police have not made any arrests or confirmed that it was connected to any animal-rights organization.
“We’re still trying to identify the people and what the motive is,” Santa Cruz Police Lt. Rudy Escalante said.
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