Sacramento, California Local News
Marysville mayor sucker punched; Police chief, councilman chase, tackle suspect
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The mayor of Marysville was assaulted in his town, right in the downtown area.Prosecutors said Derek Hopkins, 36, hit Chris Branscum in the back, right in front of the chief of police and a city council member.The three officials are colleagues connected as leaders of the city of Marysville, and are now connected by an alleged crime. “Out of nowhere, I thought I was hit by a car,” said Branscum. “I was hit so hard.”Last week, Branscum, council member Dom Belza and the chief of police had a meeting with Congressman Doug LaMalfa.They were waiting for the congressman on the sidewalk at Fifth and D streets, outside the abandoned Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed in a June fire. “The next thing I know, there’s this guy sliding by me, running, and I yelled an expletive at him,” said Branscum. Belza saw the man coming up behind the mayor, and he described him as “looking rough.””I kept my eye on him, but as he approached, he just hauled off and slugged the mayor right in the back, square in the back,” he said. Belza didn’t hesitate. He chased down the suspect and tackled him about half a block away.His knees are still scabbed from the takedown.Belza said that during the scuffle, Hopkins punched him in the face and the police chief jumped on top and restrained Hopkins until officers arrived to take him to jail. “It was just a blatant act of violence. While instincts kicked in, I’m not 100% sure, but, you know, that’s just what I can sum it up to. I just always have gone to the issues rather than away from them,” said Belza.The mayor, at age 75, is grateful his younger council member jumped into action, recognizing his role as a citizen first. “He’s a badass. So is the chief of police,” said Branscum. “Dom took him down, and the chief was right there, right behind him. They did a heck of a job.”The Yuba County district attorney believes the suspect didn’t know it was a public official, so he doesn’t face as serious of charges.Clinton Curry said Hopkins was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery. His maximum sentence on each count is six months in the county jail. More serious charges were not filed because there was no evidence to prove that Hopkins knew he was assaulting a public official or that he used a weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury. Hopkins is still being held in jail on a $2,500 bond and will be back in court next week, with a jury trial scheduled for Sept. 17.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
The mayor of Marysville was assaulted in his town, right in the downtown area.
Prosecutors said Derek Hopkins, 36, hit Chris Branscum in the back, right in front of the chief of police and a city council member.
The three officials are colleagues connected as leaders of the city of Marysville, and are now connected by an alleged crime.
“Out of nowhere, I thought I was hit by a car,” said Branscum. “I was hit so hard.”
Last week, Branscum, council member Dom Belza and the chief of police had a meeting with Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
They were waiting for the congressman on the sidewalk at Fifth and D streets, outside the abandoned Hotel Marysville, which was destroyed in a June fire.
“The next thing I know, there’s this guy sliding by me, running, and I yelled an expletive at him,” said Branscum.
Belza saw the man coming up behind the mayor, and he described him as “looking rough.”
“I kept my eye on him, but as he approached, he just hauled off and slugged the mayor right in the back, square in the back,” he said.
Belza didn’t hesitate. He chased down the suspect and tackled him about half a block away.
His knees are still scabbed from the takedown.
Belza said that during the scuffle, Hopkins punched him in the face and the police chief jumped on top and restrained Hopkins until officers arrived to take him to jail.
“It was just a blatant act of violence. While instincts kicked in, I’m not 100% sure, but, you know, that’s just what I can sum it up to. I just always have gone to the issues rather than away from them,” said Belza.
The mayor, at age 75, is grateful his younger council member jumped into action, recognizing his role as a citizen first.
“He’s a badass. So is the chief of police,” said Branscum. “Dom took him down, and the chief was right there, right behind him. They did a heck of a job.”
The Yuba County district attorney believes the suspect didn’t know it was a public official, so he doesn’t face as serious of charges.
Clinton Curry said Hopkins was arraigned on two counts of misdemeanor battery. His maximum sentence on each count is six months in the county jail. More serious charges were not filed because there was no evidence to prove that Hopkins knew he was assaulting a public official or that he used a weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury.
Hopkins is still being held in jail on a $2,500 bond and will be back in court next week, with a jury trial scheduled for Sept. 17.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter
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