Shortly after Folsom Mayor Mike Kozlowski held a public meeting and listening session regarding the city’s growing homeless issues at the same address, Folsom Police arrested two homeless individuals for reportedly assaulting a Folsom resident in the park adjacent to City Hall at 52 Natoma Street on Thursday evening.
At the time of the attack, the victim was sitting alone in Folsom City Park, painting near the gazebo. The suspected assailants held the victim on the ground while they punched and kicked the victim more than 50 times. During the attack, the suspects used homophobic slurs towards the victim and prevented the victim’s escape while they continued their attack, according to police.
At approximately 9 p.m., Folsom Police Officers responded to the area just after the incident had taken place involving 22-year-old Zakari Newton-Allen and 35-year-old Ashley Archer, both known to be homeless according to police.
Officers obtained video surveillance of the area, which reportedly showed Newton-Allen sitting on top of the victim and punching the man until he appeared to be nearly unconscious. During that time, Archer was reportedly “kicking and stomping the victim’s groin area and head,” according to the report.
“Based on statements provided by witnesses, the parties involved in the incident, and video surveillance, it was determined that the victim was the subject of an unprovoked attack by two of the involved parties,” Folsom Police said in a statement.
Both suspects were located and arrested outside of city hall and later booked into the Sacramento County Jail. Newton-Allen was charged with felony battery with bodily injury, felony violation of civil rights, and a misdemeanor charge for violation of a court order with a credible threat. Newton-Allen remains in custody and is ineligible for bail, according to Sacramento County Jail records.
Archer was booked on charges including felony violation of civil rights, violation of a court order with a credible threat, and felony assault by force with bail. She remained in custody on Friday with bail set at $20,000. The extent of injuries to the Folsom resident is unknown at this time.
