LONG BEACH -- Police are investigating an attack on an assistant wrestling coach by a former high school athlete at a match between Poly and Lakewood high schools Thursday night, authorities confirmed Friday.
The disturbing incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. in the gym at Poly High School, 1600 Atlantic Ave., in front of a crowd of about 200 people, according to police and witnesses.
Brian Baiotto, a free-lance writer who was covering the duel for the Press-Telegram, said Poly's head wrestling coach showed him a Facebook message before the match that was sent to him by one of the team's former athletes. In the message the youth allegedly threatened that coach and any one else who "talks s--- about me."
That teen and his brother showed at the gym at the start of the match, joining their father who was already there, Baiotto said.
The trouble started after the match ended, Baiotto said, when the two young men and their dad rushed the gym floor and blind-sided Assistant Wrestling Coach Abel Moran.
Witnesses described the father cold-cocking 20-year-old Moran as his sons repeatedly struck the assistant coach. All three suspects then fled the gym.
Long Beach Police Department Spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said police were called to the gym about a battery -- which is a misdemeanor crime -- at about 7:35 p.m.
She said patrol officers dispatched to the school took a preliminary report, which is expected to be finished today and turned over to the Violent Crimes Division.
Though many at the gym Thursday night were upset the patrol officers said they could only take a report that could lead to a citation, Pratt explained they were following protocol.
"If our officers witnessed the battery they could take immediate action," she explained. "If they do not, they take a report and Violent Crimes, or the appropriate division, follows up with the investigation and whatever action might be taken."
Pratt said that until the report is completed she could not confirm all the details given by witnesses at the attack.
She stressed, however, that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by Violent Crimes detectives and she noted more information may be available later today.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information about it, is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
The disturbing incident occurred at about 7:35 p.m. in the gym at Poly High School, 1600 Atlantic Ave., in front of a crowd of about 200 people, according to police and witnesses.
Brian Baiotto, a free-lance writer who was covering the duel for the Press-Telegram, said Poly's head wrestling coach showed him a Facebook message before the match that was sent to him by one of the team's former athletes. In the message the youth allegedly threatened that coach and any one else who "talks s--- about me."
That teen and his brother showed at the gym at the start of the match, joining their father who was already there, Baiotto said.
The trouble started after the match ended, Baiotto said, when the two young men and their dad rushed the gym floor and blind-sided Assistant Wrestling Coach Abel Moran.
Witnesses described the father cold-cocking 20-year-old Moran as his sons repeatedly struck the assistant coach. All three suspects then fled the gym.
Long Beach Police Department Spokeswoman Nancy Pratt said police were called to the gym about a battery -- which is a misdemeanor crime -- at about 7:35 p.m.
She said patrol officers dispatched to the school took a preliminary report, which is expected to be finished today and turned over to the Violent Crimes Division.
Though many at the gym Thursday night were upset the patrol officers said they could only take a report that could lead to a citation, Pratt explained they were following protocol.
"If our officers witnessed the battery they could take immediate action," she explained. "If they do not, they take a report and Violent Crimes, or the appropriate division, follows up with the investigation and whatever action might be taken."
Pratt said that until the report is completed she could not confirm all the details given by witnesses at the attack.
She stressed, however, that the matter will be thoroughly investigated by Violent Crimes detectives and she noted more information may be available later today.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information about it, is asked to call the Violent Crimes Detail at 562-570-7250.
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