A routine work shift in a Grass Valley parking lot turned violent last Wednesday evening, when an assault that officers say was racially motivated left one man in the hospital with serious injuries.
Police say the attack unfolded in a commercial lot on West McKnight Way. Witnesses told investigators that people inside a vehicle pulled into the area, shouted racial slurs at an adult working in the lot, then got out of the car and physically attacked him. The victim was taken to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, where authorities described his injuries as serious.
Who Was Arrested And What They Face
Two adults were arrested after the attack and booked into the Nevada County Jail, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office booking log.
The entries list the adults as 18-year-old Chasen Ryder McIntire and 19-year-old Alexander Logan Schmidt. Both are shown facing multiple felony counts, including battery causing serious bodily injury (Penal Code 243(d)), brandishing (Penal Code 417) and criminal conspiracy (Penal Code 182). Bail for each adult is recorded at $250,000.
Police Describe The Attack And DA Responds
In a detailed recap of the incident, a Grass Valley Police Department Facebook post states that occupants of a vehicle pulled into the parking lot, hurled racial slurs at the worker, then exited the vehicle and assaulted him. Detectives are still working to identify a fourth suspect.
The post notes that the victim was transported to Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital for treatment. A juvenile was also detained in connection with the case, but the minor’s name has been withheld from public records.
Grass Valley police said they are in close contact with the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office. The Facebook post quotes District Attorney Jesse Wilson, who stated, “An assault fueled by hatred targeting someone for the color of their skin is abhorrent, unlawful, and will be met with the full force of the law.”
Formal media inquiries about the case can be directed to the Grass Valley Police Investigations Division at (530) 477-4611.
Charges, Penalties And What Comes Next
The defendants are facing felony counts that could bring significantly harsher penalties if prosecutors decide to pursue hate-crime enhancements.
Under California’s felony hate-crime enhancement (Penal Code 422.75), an underlying felony sentence can be increased by one to three years, or by two to four years when the offense is committed in concert with others, according to LegiScan.
Aggravated assault charges such as force-likely assault under Penal Code 245(a)(4) can also carry substantial prison time if filed as felonies. A felony conviction under that section may result in roughly two to four years in state prison, depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s prior record, explains Wallin & Klarich. The Nevada County District Attorney’s Office will make final filing decisions once detectives finish gathering evidence.
Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Grass Valley Police Investigations Division or submit tips through local law enforcement channels. The department says it plans to release an update once the final identified suspect is in custody.
