Family of beaten Giants fan grateful for arrest
Erin Collins, center, sister, Bonnie Stow, left, sister, and Ann Stow, right, mother of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, express thanks during a news conference at a hospital in San Francisco, Monday, May 23, 2011. Bryan Stow, 42, was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 31, 2011. A tip from a parole officer late last week led to the arrest Sunday of Giovanni Ramirez, 31, of Los Angeles in the attack (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
This Los Angeles Police Department wanted poster photographed during a news conference, Sunday, May 22, 2011, shows information regarding wanted suspects for the March 31 beating of San Francisco Giants baseball fan Bryan Stow in Los Angeles. Los Angeles police officials announced the arrest of Suspect 1, left, whose name has not been released. Suspect 2 remains at large, as does Suspect 3, not depicted, the female driver of the getaway vehicle. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Bonnie Stow, right, sister of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow, hugs San Francisco Giants fan Esther Barrera, left, after a news conference at a hospital in San Francisco, Monday, May 23, 2011. Bryan Stow, 42, was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 31, 2011. A tip from a parole officer late last week led to the arrest Sunday of Giovanni Ramirez, 31, of Los Angeles in the attack. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
SAN FRANCISCO >> Relatives of a San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally beaten outside Dodger Stadium two months ago said Monday they were grateful the main suspect was in custody.
The parents and two sisters of Bryan Stow made a brief appearance outside San Francisco General Hospital, looking relieved but still shaken by the nearly two-month ordeal of caring for the badly injured father of two and awaiting news that his attackers had been found.
Stow, a 42-year-old paramedic, remains in critical but stable condition under heavy sedation to prevent seizures caused by the traumatic brain injury he suffered in the March 31 attack.
Los Angeles police raided an East Hollywood apartment building Sunday and arrested Giovanni Ramirez, 31, on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
Stow’s family members never gave up hope, said his sister Erin Collins. They thanked the Los Angeles Police Department for its "exhaustive efforts."
"Bryan has a long road ahead of him, but we are thankful that this suspect is in custody and is unable to do this to another family," Collins said.
Police were still seeking a second attacker and a woman suspected of driving the pair from the scene. Police Chief Charlie Beck called Ramirez the main aggressor.
The Los Angeles man was being held on $1 million bail. Beck did not know if Ramirez had hired an attorney.
A tip from a parole officer late last week gave detectives the break they’d sought for seven weeks following the attack on Stow that occurred in a stadium parking lot after the Dodgers’ season opener.
Ramirez was detained in the early morning raid by detectives and SWAT team members. Beck choked back tears as he described getting a call at 7 a.m. Sunday from Assistant Chief Earl Paysinger after the investigation that involved 20 full-time detectives who worked for more than 6,000 hours.
"He said the words I’ve been waiting for, for seven weeks," Beck said. "He said that we had Bryan’s assault suspect in custody."
Ramirez was among several people detained for questioning after police served search warrants and seized evidence in the apartment building and a home, police said in a statement.
All except Ramirez were expected to be released, the statement said.
Beck said many people in Los Angeles had seen an image of "Suspect 1" on flyers and billboards. Police described the man as having a bald head, goatee and tattoos on his neck. Both men were wearing Dodger jerseys during the attack.
Rewards totaling $250,000 were offered for information leading to arrests.
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Associated Press writer Greg Risling reported from Los Angeles.
