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Video footage released Wednesday by the Los Angeles Police Department shows a verbal spat that escalated into physical violence aboard a Santa Monica Big Blue Bus.
The fight took place at around 7:05 p.m. on April 5, as the bus was at Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue in West Los Angeles, say detectives from LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide Division.
“This fight literally started over one individual stepping on the foot of the other. Words were exchanged and punches were thrown,” said West Bureau Homicide Detective Luis Carranza who is assigned to the case.
The victim, Luis Contreras, who is seen in the video sprawled on his back in the rear stairwell exit of the bus, suffered a serious head injury and remains hospitalized, "fighting for his life."
Witnesses have cooperated with authorities, however the suspect has not been identified, and now the LAPD are hoping the public can help. The video was released in the hopes that someone can recognize the suspect and identify him so that police can get his side of the story.
Anyone with information about the fight is asked to contact the LAPD immediately.