5 teens charged in Simi Valley movie theater assaults

Hate crime charges filed in Simi Valley movie theater attack

After a two month investigation, Ventura County DA Erik Nasarenko announced felony assault charges against five juveniles accused in Michael Robinson?s attack. Hate crime charges were also filed against three of them.

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - Five juveniles have been charged in connection with an assault that occurred in a Simi Valley movie theater parking lot on August 1. 

Two of the teens also face charges related to a separate incident in the same location in May.

What we know:

After a two month investigation, Ventura County DA Erik Nasarenko announced felony assault charges against five juveniles accused in Michael Robinson’s attack. Hate crime charges were also filed against three of them. 

The charges stem from an incident on August 1. Robinson, the person targeted, told FOX 11 back in August that the attack was unprovoked, and the teens were calling him the N word. 

RELATED: 'He was hunted down': Teen attacked outside Simi Valley movie theater; 4 arrested

Charges filed against teens 

Three of the teens face a felony charge of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with a special allegation of a hate crime for each. 

A fourth juvenile has been charged with felony assault, as well as misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery. 

Family says teen targeted in racial attack

Four teen suspects have been arrested for battery following a fight between two groups of teenagers at Regal Plaza in Simi Valley. The guardian of one of the teens hit in the fight believe it was a racially-motivated attack.

The fifth minor is also charged with misdemeanor criminal threats and misdemeanor battery. 

Two of the minors are 16 years old, and three are 17. Their names have not been released due to their ages.

Additionally, two of the five teens have been charged for a separate altercation that took place in the same parking lot on May 30.

"Ensuring that justice is delivered"

What they're saying:

Nasarenko stated, "Hate crimes spread fear, division and violence throughout an entire community. Our office is committed to holding these youth accountable and ensuring that justice is delivered for the victims and our community."

"Stomping, kicking and punching, now that's an assault. In addition, the assault was accompanied by specific words, racial slurs. So when you are allegedly stomping, kicking and punching somebody, and that's accompanied by racial animus or hatred, that elevates the case to a hate crime," the DA said. 

Robinson's attorney, Jamal Tooson, said what he’s looking for are convictions and meaningful change in Simi Valley. 

"It’s particularly alarming that the ring leader of this incident’s father is a member of the Simi Valley Police Department. We trust our members of the police department and all our first responders to uphold the law and when it turns out that his son is participating in such egregious conduct as well as he’s participated in similar acts prior to Michael being attacked," Tooson stated. 

What's next:

All five juveniles are scheduled to be arraigned on October 10.

The arraignment will take place at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.