Two 13-year-olds arrested on suspicion of assault at Bay Area Pride celebration
Officers responded to a report of people throwing fireworks into the crowd while shouting antigay slurs around 5:55 p.m. Wednesday during the event at Courthouse Square on the 2200 block of Broadway, according to the Redwood City Police Department.
One adult suffered minor injuries in the attack, a portion of which was captured on video, police said.
The assailants fled the downtown event before officers arrived, but police located and arrested a youth that evening, followed by another one Thursday evening, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The suspects, both 13-year-old boys, were released to the custody of the San Mateo County Youth Services Center, police said.
'The act of hate and violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling. Redwood City does not tolerate hate in any form,' Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos said in a statement. 'We are committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.'
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Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Miami Herald
13-year-olds caught throwing fireworks into crowd at CA Pride event, cops say
Two 13-year-old boys threw 'suspected fireworks' into a crowd at a California city's annual LGBTQ+ Pride event, officials said. Now they're arrested and facing charges. Minutes before the City of Redwood was set to ceremoniously raise a Progress Pride flag in honor of the LGBTQIA+ community at a courthouse downtown, the teens 'shouted derogatory, homophobic profanities' and threw a firework into the crowd, Mayor Elmer Martinez Saballos said in a news release. The attack occurred at 5:55 p.m. June 4 — exactly five minutes before the ceremony was planned to start, Redwood City Police Department said in a news release. The teens took off before law enforcement officers arrived, officials said. Part of the attack was recorded on surveillance video, officials said. Two adults were hurt in the attack and one had minor injuries, officials said. Later on that night, police found and arrested one of the 13-year-old boys suspected in the attack. The next day, investigators found and arrested the other 13-year-old suspected in the attack. They face assault with a deadly weapon and hate crime charges, the department said. 'The act of hate and violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling,' Mayor Saballos said in a statement. 'We are committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.' The statement went on to say the 'distressing incident' was not reflective of leadership's values and that city officials would work with police and residents 'to ensure Courthouse Square and every space in our city is a place of safety, respect and belonging.' Anyone with information is asked to contact the Redwood City Police Department at 650-780-7100. Redwood City is about a 30-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.
San Francisco Chronicle
07-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Two 13-year-olds arrested on suspicion of assault at Bay Area Pride celebration
Two 13-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of assault at a Redwood City Pride celebration, police said. Officers responded to a report of people throwing fireworks into the crowd while shouting antigay slurs around 5:55 p.m. Wednesday during the event at Courthouse Square on the 2200 block of Broadway, according to the Redwood City Police Department. One adult suffered minor injuries in the attack, a portion of which was captured on video, police said. The assailants fled the downtown event before officers arrived, but police located and arrested a youth that evening, followed by another one Thursday evening, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. The suspects, both 13-year-old boys, were released to the custody of the San Mateo County Youth Services Center, police said. 'The act of hate and violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling. Redwood City does not tolerate hate in any form,' Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos said in a statement. 'We are committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.'
CBS News
06-06-2025
- CBS News
Redwood City Pride event marred by attack; 2 teens accused of hate crime
Two teens were arrested on suspicion of assault and a hate crime following an attack at a Pride Month event in Redwood City on Wednesday. Shortly before 6 p.m., police were called to Courthouse Square in the city's downtown on reports of two people who threw fireworks in the crowd, while shouting discriminatory and homophobic slurs. The suspects fled the square before officers arrived. Two adult victims were identified, with one sustaining minor injuries, police said. The incident took place as crews were setting up for the annual Celebrate Redwood City Pride event, held by the city's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. According to officials, the event was scheduled to include a flag raising and several speakers. Police said a portion of the attack was captured on video surveillance. On Wednesday evening, police located a 13-year-old male suspect and took him into custody. The next day, investigators identified and arrested a second suspect, also a 13-year-old male. Both suspects were brought to the San Mateo County Youth Services Center. Their names were not released due to their ages. "The act of hate and violence is unacceptable and deeply troubling. Redwood City does not tolerate hate in any form," Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos said in a statement Thursday. "We are committed to being a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all." The mayor added, "What happened last night is not reflective of our values. We will continue working with law enforcement, community leaders, and residents to ensure Courthouse Square and every space in our city is a place of safety, respect and belonging." Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Redwood City Police Department at 650-780-7100.
