College Baseball Player Arrested for Assaulting 84-Year-Old Man in Santa Clarita Bar
A college baseball player is facing serious charges after allegedly ambushing an 84-year-old man during a heated altercation at a California bar. The incident, which took place at Doc’s Inn in Santa Clarita in the early hours of February 28, was caught on camera and has left many shocked and disturbed.
The Altercation Turns Violent
The disturbing video obtained by TMZ shows the confrontation between the young man, later identified as Owen Hayes, 21, and the elderly victim. The altercation reportedly began with a verbal disagreement between Hayes and the older man. Another individual attempted to intervene and separate the two, but that didn’t stop Hayes from rushing up behind the victim and knocking him to the ground with great force.
The victim, who was a regular at Doc’s Inn, was knocked unconscious from the blow and had to be hospitalized. Fortunately, it was reported that his injuries were not life-threatening, though the assault was still severe.
Ambush Captured on Video
As chaos ensued inside the bar, patrons and staff scrambled to de-escalate the situation, but the violent attack was already over. The shocking video, which surfaced online, shows Hayes aggressively approaching the elderly man before delivering the devastating blow.
An employee of the bar described the incident as an unprovoked assault and confirmed that the victim had been a regular customer for some time.
Hayes Surrenders to Authorities
Law enforcement sources confirmed to TMZ that after conducting their investigation, they were able to identify Hayes as the alleged attacker. On Monday morning, Hayes surrendered at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and was booked on felony assault charges with likely great bodily injury as the result of the incident.
Hayes, who plays baseball for The Master’s University in Santa Clarita, was held on a $50,000 bail. Despite the severity of the charges, the university has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Investigation and Consequences
The assault on the elderly man has drawn widespread attention and sparked conversations about the dangers of unchecked aggression. Hayes’ actions have raised questions not only about his behavior but also about the role of alcohol and social environments in escalating conflicts.
At the time of writing, Hayes’ legal proceedings are still ongoing, with many wondering what consequences await him both legally and professionally. As the investigation continues, authorities will likely seek to clarify what motivated the attack and whether there were any additional contributing factors.
