An apparently unprovoked attack on an unhoused man sleeping on a Tower District sidewalk shocked residents over the weekend, serving as a reminder of the vulnerability of Fresno’s homeless population.
A 47-year-old man known only as Freddy was resting on a sidewalk along Olive Avenue west of Van Ness Avenue at 2 a.m. on August 26 when a second guy attacked him without warning, according to security footage.
Police claimed a witness reported seeing a man attacking another, and detectives later discovered the attack on security video.
He was transferred to Community Regional Medical Center but could not provide much specifics because he was sleeping at the time of the incident, authorities said on Monday.
A man with dark hair, dressed in a red tracksuit and carrying what appeared to be to-go food, kicked Freddy in the head three times before trampling on him at Cuca’s Restaurant, according to video.
On Monday, a Cuca’s employee who declined to be identified said he had spotted Freddy in the area for at least a year. Freddy would occasionally come inside for water or to charge his phone, and it was never an issue.
“He’s a really nice guy,” the staffer explained over the phone.
Freddy has been a familiar face to homeless advocates in the Tower District for some time, according to Dez Martinez, an unhoused advocate and executive director of We Are NOT Invisible, a local non-profit that fights for those living on the streets.
“He does not speak to anyone. “He keeps to himself, quiet,” she stated on Monday. “I’ve never known him to cause any problems.”
Martinez stated that Freddy would accept services such as water or other provided supplies, but was generally bashful and stayed to himself. “He loved donuts,” she remarked.
Being alone on the street can make you a target, she explained. Many people who are homeless find protection in numbers.
“This is why we need large camps,” she explained. “People see it as clutter, but that is safety.”
The attack comes as those living on the streets face an increasing number of rules limiting where they can rest, camp, or gather.
Following the approval of the United States Supreme Court in June, the Fresno City Council and the Fresno County Board of Supervisors passed new regulations outlawing camping or loitering in public locations in August.
The City Council doubled down with another legislation addressing unhoused people on private property. Supporters said the ordinance plugged a loophole in current local laws.
The disturbing footage was also posted on Friday to the Please Help Stop Crime in the Tower District Facebook page.
“Please just tell me they were able to catch this monster who attacked him,” a visitor said.
“Oh my goodness, why haven’t we heard about this sooner? “So awful,” another person added.
Fresno police stated Monday that they had neither arrested nor identified the assailant. Police are asking anyone with information to call Detective Guadalupe Olague at 559-287-3921.
Anyone providing information can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.
