Salinas high school student arrested after officer kicked in head during illegal car meet
By Ricardo Tovar
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SALINAS, Calif. (KSBW) — Salinas police arrested a 17-year-old suspected of kicking an officer in the head during an illegal car meet that escalated in East Salinas.
The incident began Tuesday night at the Foods Co. parking lot before moving to a Circle K on Sanborn Road. Officers initially cleared the crowd at the grocery store parking lot, but drivers relocated to the Circle K, where the situation escalated.
As an officer attempted to detain a 23-year-old driver for reckless driving, a crowd surrounded him. Police said one person then kicked the officer in the head while he was on the ground detaining the driver.
Following an investigation, police identified and arrested the suspect, a 17-year-old Salinas resident. He is being charged with assault likely to commit great bodily injury and violence against a peace officer, police said.
Because the suspect is a juvenile, police will not release his name or additional identifying information.
Witness Silvia Martinez described the scene as chaotic.
“Kids were put in danger with high-speed chases when the cops came to try to shut it down,” Martinez said. “They didn’t want to close it down, so they took off on the high-speed chase, I guess.”
The incident drew strong reactions from city officials. Councilmember Tony Barrera expressed concern about the attack on the officer.
“Once you have a police officer who’s coming to protect people, and then simultaneously start getting attacked by the same individuals, that’s a sad state for the city. It really is,” Barrera said.
He added, “A lot of these kids are not leaders. They’re followers. So all it takes is one or two to build that momentum, and a lot of kids follow.”
Police said the officer is OK and emphasized that officers are trained to handle large crowds.
“We really want to make sure that people are meeting together to celebrate whatever they want to celebrate in a safe and sane and stable way,” police spokesperson Rosemerry Dere said. “The safety of the community is really the most important part.”
Police are still requesting video footage from the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salinas Police Department.
The Salinas Union High School District released a statement saying the teen is a student at their district:
“The Salinas Union High School District is aware of an incident involving a district student who was taken into custody by local law enforcement today.
“SUHSD does not condone violence, threats or behavior that places others at risk. These actions are serious, are not acceptable in our schools or community, and can have lasting consequences.
“We also recognize that accountability must be paired with guidance and support. Our students are young people who are still learning, and we have a responsibility to help them understand the impact of their choices and move forward in a more positive direction.
“We encourage families to speak with their students about making responsible choices, resolving conflict appropriately and seeking help from a trusted adult when needed. By working together, we can reinforce clear expectations while ensuring our students have the support they need to make better choices moving forward.
“If you are a student who needs support, please know that trained adults are available to help at our school Wellness Centers.”
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