Authorities in Lakeside are seeking justice for the victim of an apparent hate crime. Sheriff's detectives say a suspect followed an African-America man out of a bar and attacked him. Today he was arraigned in court.
Prosecutors say the suspect is a white supremacist. They say the brutal attack was racially motivated. Tonight, the victim, a black man, is in critical condition after being attacked outside a bar in Lakeside.
The judge ordered News 8 not to show his face, but the picture prosecutors painted was crystal clear as they described the one uppercut blow to the face he allegedly delivered to his victim.
"The victim was knocked unconscious, fell on the ground, striking his head on the concrete, he was non responsive, he was bleeding from the back of the head and the ears, and as of yesterday, he still answers all questions by simply stating his name," a prosecutor said.
Sheriff's detectives say the near deadly punch happened in an alley late Sunday night behind Don's Cocktail Lounge in Lakeside. Friends of the victim say as he stepped out to smoke a cigarette, the suspect followed.
"The suspect pulled off his shirt displaying a swastika on his chest, walked out and the confrontation happened outside the bar," Det. Sgt. Tom Poulin said.
Forty-year-old Timothy Caban was arrested for assault, felony battery and committing a hate crime after witnesses pointed him out.
"The detectives working the gang unit believe Timothy Caban belongs to a white supremacist group," Det. Sgt. Poulin said.
Two others were arrested for public drunkenness. Those who know Caban say he is the father of a four- and six-year-old and isn't capable of such brutality.
"He is 40 years old, he has a home, he's got 2 young children," one woman said.
Caban is being held on a $250,000 bond. Prosecutors say the victim is still in the ICU, with fractures to his skull and bleeding in his brain.
