PASADENA >> A fist fight between two roommates in Old Pasadena early Saturday left one man on life support and another behind bars, police said.
Joseph Rafael, 31, of Alhambra, was not expected to survive the injuries he suffered in the 1 a.m. fight in the 100 block of South Raymond Avenue, Pasadena police Lt. Art Chute said. He remained hospitalized on life support Saturday night with major head injuries.
Police arrested his roommate, 30-year-old Giorgio Inigo Bustamante, on suspicion of attempted murder.
The two men had just attended a birthday party when they became involved in a dispute on the sidewalk, Chute said.
“Mr. Rafael and Mr. Bustamante became involved in an argument with each other that escalated into a physical altercation.”
Rafael ended up on the sidewalk with a severe head injury, the lieutenant said. It was unclear if the injuries were the result of blows, or his head striking the ground.
No weapons were involved in the fight, Chute said. “Just fists.”
Police responding to a witnesses’ 9-1-1 call reporting a “person down” found Rafael pulseless, Chute said. Officers performed CPR until paramedics arrived to rush Rafael to the hospital.
Bustamante remained at the scene, Chute said. “He made no attempt to flee.”
According to county booking records, Bustamante was being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending his initial court appearance.