5 men stabbed near restaurant

No arrests yet after altercation early on Sunday

Five local men were stabbed early Sunday during an altercation outside Toreros Famosos Mexican restaurant in Crescent City.

The City Police Department is asking for the public’s help as it investigates the incident.

Officers responded to a call about 1 a.m. and found “five victims lying on the pavement,” said Police Chief Douglas Plack on Monday.

No arrests have been made and no weapons were recovered,  Plack said.

All five men were taken to the hospital; and one was eventually flown to another hospital, Plack said.

John Ludwig was listed in fair condition at Rogue Valley Medical Center in Medford, Ore. Nicholas Maraganis, Stephen Redmond and William Eldredge were  in stable condition at Sutter Coast Hospital. Jeremiah Rodrigues was treated at Sutter Coast and released.

Preliminary information suggests two groups of people were involved in an argument inside Toreros, which eventually spilled into the parking lot after some people were asked to leave the restaurant, Plack said.

“We’re still trying to decipher what is the primary cause of this outbreak,” Plack said. “I think alcohol played a very important factor in this.”

All of the victims appear to be from the same group and no weapons were found on them, Plack said. Some of them were hurt while trying to break up the fight, Plack said.

“Some of the victims stated they thought they were just being punched,” said Plack.

It is unclear how many people were involved in the altercation, he said, adding authorities have identified people of interest.

Officers are seeking witnesses  to the altercation and anyone who may have saw something awry in the restaurant, Plack said.

Descriptions of any vehicles involved are also being sought, Plack said.

“A lot of people left prior to the police officers’ arrival,” said Plack. “We’ve had other cases in which concerned citizens were very cooperative with our investigations. I would not rate this incident as one of those investigations.”

People who were at the restaurant at the time of the altercation are encouraged to contact authorities even if they do not think they have pertinent information, Plack said.

Recorded hip-hop and dance music is played every Saturday night in the restaurant’s lounge.

Toreros’ owner Ana Garcia declined to comment about the incident, saying it happened outside the restaurant and she didn’t see anything that occurred.