A man arrested following what authorities call a hate crime attack following the stabbing of a man leaving a mosque in Ventura County is now facing five charges.
Ventura County prosecutors say John Matteson and another man asked some people leaving the Islamic Center of Simi Valley Saturday night if they could use a restroom. They were told the center was closed.
Prosecutors say the two began yelling racial and religious slurs and then the second, as yet unidentified man stabbed one of the people leaving the center. He’s still being sought. The wounded man suffered a non-life threatening injury. Matteson is being prosecuted for four counts of disturbing the peace by fighting with hate crime enhancements, as well as a civil rights violation.
The Simi Valley man pled not guilty to the charges.
