Youth Speared in Head by Paint Roller Dies

SAN CLEMENTE — Steve Woods, the 17-year-old San Clemente High School student who was speared through the head with a paint roller rod in a parking lot altercation, died Tuesday at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Anaheim.

Prosecutors were deciding Tuesday afternoon whether murder charges would be filed against two young men and four juveniles who had been facing felony assault charges in the incident.

Woods was attacked Oct. 15 at Calafia Beach County Park after a school football game.

According to police reports, the attack took place in the parking lot after an argument between two groups of young people.

As Woods’ group tried to drive out of the lot past the suspects near the entrance, their vehicles were showered with rocks, bottles and other items, including at least two paint rollers, police said.

A rod from one of the rollers pierced Woods’ skull, entering above one ear, piercing the brain and causing severe damage. He had been in a coma since the attack.

All of those charged in the attack have pleaded not guilty. One of their defense attorneys called the incident “a freak accident.”

A number of those arrested after the attack acknowledged to police that they were gang members or associates.