Man charged with assaulting firefighter flees court, police say
A man charged with assaulting an off-duty firefighter fled the Simi Valley courthouse before a hearing in the case, police said Thursday evening.
Devin Lamar Kelley, 25, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly attacked the Ventura County firefighter Oct. 26, Simi Valley Police Department officials said in a statement.
The 35-year-old firefighter was unconscious when officers arrived on the scene in the 500 block of Valley Gate Road, police said. He was taken to a hospital.
Police said that Kelley allegedly chased away two good Samaritans who tried to intervene.
Kelley served in Iraq with the Army and received medals for Army Achievement, National Defense Service, Iraq Campaign, Army Commendation, Meritorious Unit and Global War on Terror Service, according to report in the Ventura County Star, which cited military officials.
The report said Kelley was also a star running back on the Simi Valley High School football team in 2005, rushing for more than 1,000 yards.
On Thursday, a judge issued an arrest warrant after Kelley fled the courthouse, according to police.
Kelley may be driving a two-door 2006 Monte Carlo that is primer gray with a California license plate number 5TEX190, police said. Anyone who spots Kelley is asked to call 911.
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