On Saturday night, a California Save-Mart janitor’s night went from calm to violent minutes before closing when two alleged gang members began attacking the man for his blue shirt, which was allegedly interpreted by the attackers as gang colors, according to the City of Madera Police Department.
The janitor was sweeping aisle floors when the two individuals entered the store, approached him and “Began saying derogatory things to him calling him a scrap because he was wearing a blue shirt,” Sgt. Brian Esteves with the Madera Police Department, said according to KFSN-TV Fresno. The blue shirt is a uniform associated with the cleaning company for which the man works.
Verbal attacks allegedly turned physical. After being punched, the janitor tried to defend himself, but the attack intensified. According to the Madera PD, “After knocking him to the ground they broke a wine bottle over his head, causing a significant injury.”
The victim is expected to recover according to police statements included in the KFSN-TV report.
Blurry store surveillance photos of the men are posted to the department’s Facebook page. The two alleged gang members were still on the loose Monday and police are asking for the public’s help in locating them.
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