LA area mayor issues statement after Indian Wells seminar fight

Commerce Mayor John Soria issued a statement regarding a fight that broke out over the weekend at an annual seminar of the California Contract Cities Association, an advocacy group of cities that contract for public services such as firefighting and law enforcement, at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa in Indian Wells.

The fight, which reportedly involved seven people at broke out around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, according to KABC. One person ended up being hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Soria issued a statement Monday about the brawl, which was reported about 12:30 a.m. Saturday during a California Contract Cities Association meeting.

According to Soria, Mayor Pro Tem Ivan Altamirano and Councilman Leonard Mendoza were having a conversation that “became elevated and I went to the area to defuse any potential conflict.”

“Upon arriving I witnessed Mr. Mendoza on the floor, apparently unconscious and Mr. Altamirano standing nearby with a facial injury,” Soria said.

Soria said he attempted to establish “a safe distance between people standing in the area and Mr. Altamirano” while others attempted to render aid to Mendoza.

“Within seconds Mr. Altamirano and I were attacked from behind by two individuals,” Soria said. “Mr. Altamirano was knocked to the ground and I was further attacked by these two individuals, being punched several times on the head and face from which I sustained multiple injuries,” he said.

“I know who the attackers are, but I will refrain from naming them at this time so that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department can conduct a thorough investigation,” Soria said.

“I want to be clear in condemning the violent behavior from the individuals who initiated these assaults,” he said. “Violence is never the answer, and as elected officials we are held to a higher standard. Such behavior is unacceptable and is an embarrassment to the people of Commerce and Southeast Los Angeles.”

Mendoza told the Los Angeles Times he remembers having a heated discussion with Altamirano, and he asked Altamirano to back away, but he wouldn’t.

“I guess he didn’t like that and it got heated and it got loud,” Mendoza told the paper.

Mendoza said that a short time later, he felt a blow from behind, and the next thing he remembers is waking up at a hospital.

“It must’ve been one of those things where I got knocked out with one punch,” he said, adding that he does not know who hit him.

Riverside County sheriff’s officials said over the weekend they responded to the resort, but no arrests were made, and only one person — Mendoza — was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The city of Commerce issued a statement Sunday saying that since the confrontation occurred in another jurisdiction “and the fact that the city is unclear on the specifics, the city has no further comment at this time.”.

Soria’s statement in full:

I would like to address the events surrounding an incident that began with a physical altercation between City of Commerce Mayor Pro Tem Ivan Altamirano and Councilmember Leonard Mendoza early Saturday morning at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort, in Indian Wells, California.

Prior to the altercation, I was made aware (of) a conversation the two were having nearby had become elevated and I went to the area to defuse any potential conflict. Upon arriving I witnessed Mr. Mendoza on the floor, apparently unconscious, and Mr Altamirano standing nearby with a facial injury.

A group of individuals had gathered and were attempting to render aid to Mr. Mendoza. I immediately attempted to deescalate the situation by establishing a safe distance between people standing in the area and Mr. Altamirano. Within seconds Mr. Altamirano and I were attacked from behind by two individuals.

Mr. Altamirano was knocked to the ground and I was further attacked by these two individuals, being punched several times on the head and face from which I sustained multiple injuries. At this point my wife, with the help of friends, intervened and were able to pull me to a safe distance from the two attackers. I am very grateful for their help in preventing me from sustaining more serious injuries and ensuring my safety.

As a result of this incident I will be filing a police report with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and intend to press charges against my attackers. I know who the attackers are, but I will refrain from naming them at this time so that the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department can conduct a thorough investigation.

While all the facts of these related incidents are not yet known, I want to be clear in condemning the violent behavior from the individuals who initiated these assaults. Violence is never the answer, and as elected officials we are held to a higher standard. Unfortunately, several individuals clearly did not live up that standard during this incident. Such behavior is unacceptable and is an embarrassment to the people of Commerce and Southeast Los Angeles. The stakeholders in our community deserve better.

In addition to the actions described above, once additional information is available I intend to call on my Council colleagues to take appropriate action regarding any individuals that represent the City of Commerce who were involved in the incident.