Police Trying to Stop Fight Attacked by Crowd

HUNTINGTON BEACH —  A crowd of party-goers attacked police with bottles and cheered on a 24-year-old Whittier man as he fought two officers trying to stop a fight between the man and a female companion, police said Saturday.

One of the police officers suffered a slight concussion while the other suffered bruises and an injured arm. Neither was identified, but both were treated at Pacifica Hospital in Huntington Beach.

The incident began when police were summoned about 11 p.m. Friday to quiet a house party at 5032 Sisson Drive that had about 150 guests and a live band, said Police Lt. Jon Arnold.

As the officers left, Arnold said, one of them noticed two party-goers--a man and woman--fighting down the street. One of the officers approached the couple to break up the dispute.

“The male suspect then turned and attacked the officer,” Arnold said. “The second officer arrived, and the fight was on. As they tried to take the suspect into custody, he struck the officers and they all went to the ground. The suspect then kicked the female officer in the face, kicked her in the head twice.

“At that point, the crowd around them started yelling obscenities . . . and cheering for the arrestee,” Arnold said.

Members of the crowd, which came from the house party, began throwing beer bottles at the officers.

The man who first struggled with police was identified as Freedom Star Fisher. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and assault and battery on a police officer. Bail was set at $10,000.

At least three members of the crowd were arrested, police said.