A 70-year-old Sikh man, Harpal Singh, is in a medically induced coma after a violent assault in North Hollywood, United States, on Monday afternoon.
Incident and Arrest
According to a CBS News report, Los Angeles police said the attack happened at about 3:20 pm on the 7500 block of Lankershim Boulevard, near Saticoy Street. Surveillance footage helped investigators identify the suspect as 44-year-old Bo Richard Vitagliano. He was arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and is being held on $1.2 million bail.
Severe Injuries and Critical Condition
ABC 7 reported that Singh was struck with a golf club while taking an afternoon walk close to his place of worship. The attacker allegedly left him unconscious on the street. Since then, Singh has been in the hospital in critical condition, unable to speak and suffering from internal bleeding in the brain.
Doctors say Singh has undergone three surgeries in the past week to repair broken facial bones and treat brain haemorrhaging. He remains unresponsive, and his condition continues to be life-threatening.
On August 11, UNITED SIKHS joined the Sangat in Los Angeles to demand justice for Harpal Singh.
The rally, organized by The Sikh Coalition, condemned the brutal attack on the 70-year-old, who is now fighting for his life after undergoing multiple surgeries.
Community elders,… pic.twitter.com/BjSc0EOKO9
— UNITED SIKHS (@unitedsikhs) August 12, 2025
Community Response
Dr. Gurdial Singh Randhawa, Harpal Singh’s brother, led a healing prayer within the local Sikh community. He expressed both grief and hope, saying the family is devastated by the brutality but is praying for Singh’s recovery. Members of the Sikh community are now urging authorities to provide “greater police protection” to ensure safety.
