$300,000 Raised For Beaten, Comatose Giants Fan
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - Nearly $300,000 has been raised from people stirred by a San Francisco Giants fan who was beaten into a coma outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles after the team's season opener last week.
Bryan Stow, 42, remained comatose from injuries suffered when two suspects kicked him repeatedly in the stadium parking lot following a March 31 game that the Giants lost 2-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, police Officer Christopher No said.
Stow, an emergency medical technician in Santa Clara County, has garnered swift and generous support from Los Angeles and San Francisco public servants, and sports fans who have been fervently following the case.
A total of $150,000 has been offered as a reward for information leading to arrests of the two men suspected of beating Stow.
In the most recent donations, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved on Tuesday an offer of $50,000 for any tips related to an arrest in the case, said Monica Valencia, spokeswoman for Councilman Ed Reyes, who introduced the motion.
Los Angeles-based radio personality Tom Leykis said Thursday he was also pledging $50,000 to the reward.
Four others have donated money, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who on Saturday offered $10,000 for details leading to the suspects' arrest. The Dodgers have offered $25,000, and the Giants have offered $10,000. Stow's employer, American Medical Response, has offered $5,000.
In addition, a barbeque fundraiser hosted by AMR on Wednesday drew a crowd of between 3,000 and 4,000 people in San Jose, and raised more than $140,000 to aid in paying Stow's medical bills, according to the company.
A similar drive has been planned next week in Los Angeles to raise money for Stow's hospital care.
The Giants have also pledged to collect donations for the family and planned to pay tribute to Stow prior to today's home opener at AT&T Park.
Los Angeles police have been hosting news conferences throughout the week following Stow's attack to update the public on his condition.
A conference about Stow's condition, which was held at Los Angeles police headquarters on Thursday, was attended by two of Stow's sisters and a cousin.
On Friday, the city's mayor held a news conference at police headquarters to discuss new security measures at Dodger stadium.
The Dodgers will come to San Francisco on Monday to face off against the Giants, and security will be stepped up locally as well, San Francisco police Officer Albie Esparza said.
"If you're seen extremely intoxicated, we're going to put you in detox," Esparza said.
He said people at the ballpark would see a "significant visible increase" of officers at Monday's game.
"We want people to enjoy the game, but we want them to remain civilized," he said.
Although Stow is in a coma, his condition remains stable.
On the night of the attack, he was walking with friends, who were all wearing Giants clothing, near Dodger Stadium's F2 parking lot when a pair of men clad in Dodgers apparel approached him from behind, according to Los Angeles police Officer Rosario Herrera.
Police said the men taunted Stow for being a Giants fan, and then hit him from behind, causing him to fall to the ground.
When Stow's friends tried to intervene, they were also attacked by the men. They suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene and released, police said.
No arrests have been made in connection to the beating. Police have released sketches of the two men, believed to be Hispanic men between 18 and 25 years old who were wearing Dodgers clothing.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Los Angeles police at (877) 527-3247.
A website, www.support4stow.blogspot.com, has been set up for people wishing to donate to the fund set up to help the family pay the hospital bills.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)
