Attack on 2 Blacks May Bring Hate Charge

A man who police say attacked two black men early Wednesday in a crowded Costa Mesa restaurant may face hate-crime charges, authorities said.

Russell Wood Jr., 40, of Costa Mesa was arrested after a fight broke out about 1 a.m. at Norm’s Restaurant on Harbor Boulevard, Police Lt. Ron Smith said.

Smith said that Wood was sitting at a booth when Isaac Alo, 27, and William Britton, 25, both of Santa Ana, sat down across from him. Wood is white; both Alo and Britton are black.

After about five minutes, Wood began shouting racial epithets at Alo and Britton. He then lunged at Alo with a 6-inch-long steak knife, opening a deep gash on his neck. Britton tried to restrain Wood but was sliced on the hand.

Alo grabbed a bottle of steak sauce and smashed it over Wood’s head, momentarily stunning him and allowing Alo and Britton to wrestle the attacker to the ground.

A waitress called police. As officers led Wood away in handcuffs, he continued to shout racial slurs at the two men.

Wood was treated at a local hospital for unspecified injuries, Smith said. Alo and Britton both refused medical treatment.

Smith said Wood, who is being held at the Costa Mesa City Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, may face charges of attempted murder, assault on a police officer and committing a hate crime when he is arraigned today at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

Investigators have not determined what provoked the attack, Smith said. Wood did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and he had no record of psychiatric problems or racially motivated crimes.

Hate crimes are rare in Costa Mesa, Smith said. The incident is the first of its kind this year, he said, and there was only one last year.