Hate Crime Perpetrator Released, OCDA

LAKE FOREST, CA — A 25-year-old Irvine man was sentenced Wednesday after being charged in a racially motivated attack from March of 2016. Christopher Qu, who has been behind bars since his arrest in March 30, 2016, was immediately placed on three years of formal probation. He was released from Central Men's Jail, Thursday.

Qu's charges stemmed from the racially charged attack on a black teen and his older brother. However, the plea bargain keeps the 25-year-old Irvine man off the streets and in the custody of the Public Guardian's Office to receive mental health treatment.

"The bottom line is both the district attorney and the defense and court all worked together in order to make sure that the public was protected and that Mr. Qu received the mental health treatment that he needs," Qu's attorney, Lee Blumen, said.

"The Public Guardian's Office evaluated him and found that he qualified to be placed on an involuntary conservatorship and receive inpatient treatment."

Qu pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and a misdemeanor hate crime, according to court records. A count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury with sentencing enhancements for a hate crime were dismissed as part of the plea deal.

Qu approached a 16-year-old student at just before 1 p.m., March 30, 2016, at Irvine High School while the teen was waiting for a ride from his brother, according to Irvine police.

A pipe-wielding Qu spewed racial slurs at the boy, who was on campus for sports practice while the school was on spring break, and was advancing on the teen when his 24-year-old sibling drove up, police said.

Qu banged the pipe against several railings as he advanced on the teen, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

The brother got out of the car in time to intervene, but Qu head-butted the man and slammed the pipe against his arm several times.

The victim sustained a broken nose and bruises on his arms, prosecutors said. His brother was unhurt.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Irvine Police Photo