A brutal assault at a Watts restaurant has left Jason Rios, a 15-year-old celebrating his birthday, in grave condition. The attack occurred on May 14 while he and a friend were dining outside at the Freedom Plaza’s Habit Burger Grille, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. As they ate, three minors blindsided the pair with a violent beating, said the LAPD. While Rios' friend was hospitalized and released, Rios was not as fortunate, suffering critical injuries that required an eight-hour surgery due to brain hemorrhaging, as detailed by FOX 11.
With one of the suspected assailants arrested and charged with attempted murder, authorities are now in pursuit of the remaining two suspects who have evaded capture. Information surrounding the case has been scarce, but the attack appears to have been unprovoked. Rios' sister, Nayeli, lamented in an interview with FOX 11 that her brother was attacked by individuals he had never seen and never spoke to. Despite the public nature of the incident, no one intervened to assist or immediately contact emergency services which left the victim to call his mother for help after his assailants had left, Rios has since been on the mend, now breathing without assistance for the first time since the incident, per family statements to KTLA.
Humberto Rios, Jason's brother, has championed the call for community support, urging the Watts neighborhood to rally for justice in the wake of the traumatic episode. Humberto said to KTLA, "THANK YOU I NEED MY WATTS COMMUNITY TO STAND UP," as they initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover the rising medical and legal costs associated with Jason's recovery. Meanwhile, police are soliciting tips and urging anyone with knowledge about the attack to come forward, providing contact numbers for the Southeast Detectives at 213-972-7813 and for anonymous tips, the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
