Man Accused Of Hate Crime In Beating Of Black Man In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A 32-year-old man has been charged with a hate crime following the unprovoked beating of a Black man in Santa Cruz early Sunday, police said.

Police responded around 2:37 a.m. Sunday to the 1400 block of Ocean Street to a report of a physical fight in front of a motel. Officers found the victim, a 46-year-old man originally from Jamaica, and the suspect, Cody Chavez, 32, of San Jose.

An investigation found that Chavez attacked the victim without any provocation, while using racial slurs, according to police. The victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a trauma center.

Cody Chavez was arrested last night for a hate crime. @santacruzpolice investigated a case where Chavez beat a black man while screaming racial epithets. The victim was hospitalized. Great job by patrol and investigations. pic.twitter.com/Hp0OL6WXyT
— Andrew Mills (@ChiefAndyMills) June 28, 2020

Chavez was arrested on suspicion of battery with serious bodily injuries, a violation of civil rights causing violent injury, and resisting arrest. A local magistrate also approved a bail enhancement for Chavez.

Detectives were asked to investigate due to the nature of the crime and are continuing to follow up and attempting to determine a motive, police said.

"There is no place for this heinous behavior in our community, or our country, and we will not tolerate it," Deputy Chief of Police Bernie Escalante said in a statement.

"The Santa Cruz Police Department will do everything withint our ability and authority to hold this person accountable through the criminal justice system. Our hearts go out to the victim and wish him a speedy recovery."