Student’s Memories of His Year in Santa Barbara Marred By Assault

A foreign exchange student is recovering after being beaten just days before he was to return to China.

By Sonia Fernandez, Noozhawk Staff Writer | Published on 12.01.2008

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When Henry T. returned to China this winter, his plan was to take back with him a stronger command of the English language and memories of the year he spent in Santa Barbara.

“I want to use what I learned and do something with languages,” said the 21-year-old foreign exchange student attending the ELS Language Center on Anapamu Street.

The English he’ll take with him, but the fond memories of life in Santa Barbara have been eclipsed by a brutal beating he took as he walked back to his host family’s home last Tuesday.

According to Henry, he was walking alone in the area of Bath and Valerio streets about 2 a.m. Nov. 25 after a night of celebrating at the local Sharkeez when he heard steps behind him.

“I saw a man swing at my head with something in his hand,” he said. “It could have been a brick or something, I don’t know.”

Henry was able to dodge the blow but lost his balance and landed on the ground. The next thing he knew, he said, his attacker was punching and kicking him in the head and face.

“I said, just take my wallet.” Henry took several blows to his face, enough to cut him above his eye and break his nose. The attacker took his wallet and a camera. His head throbbing and face streaming with blood, he managed to make it back to his host family’s house, and they called 9-1-1.

Things seemed to get worse, he said, when he went to the emergency room at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Already traumatized by such a brutal beating, he had to endure rough treatment by hospital personnel, he said.

“The doctor called me a crybaby,” he said, for weeping during his examination and treatment. Janet O’Neill, a spokeswoman for SBCH, said she didn’t know about the incident so had no comment. She did, however, suggest that Henry file a complaint to give her more information on the issue.

Henry, who was to go home last Friday to his family with an English-language certification and a camera full of memories, wound up having surgery that day instead to correct his displaced septum. Instead of pictures and video, he’ll have scars to remind him of Santa Barbara.

According to Sgt. Lorenzo Duarte of the Santa Barbara Police Department, the report of the incident has been forwarded to investigators for review and investigation.

“We are not treating it as gang-related at this time,” he said. “Right now, we’re looking at it as an assault and robbery.” There was only one suspect, whom Henry and one other witness saw only in the dimly lit street and described as Caucasian or Hispanic.

Henry is now staying with a friend he met through classes at Santa Barbara City College, who agreed to see him through his operation and weeklong observation and recovery. During that time, he’ll have to figure out what to tell his parents, who were expecting him home by now.

“I told them I would be delayed,” he said, “but I didn’t tell them why because I don’t want them to get worried.”

Write to sfernandez@noozhawk.com.

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» patrick on 12.02.08 @ 03:15 AM

With all the beatings lately, the police should set up some sting operations to catch these guys…


» shame on 12.02.08 @ 03:55 AM

Shame on city council for being soft on crime and gang violence.

They are really doing nothing about the increase in gang violence and crime.

Throw the bums out, especially Das, Helene and Grant House.


» SBreader on 12.02.08 @ 09:29 AM

Absolutely shocking and shameful of Santa Barbara, that this can happen downtown. (Just imagine if downtown were built up with the high rises that the Council majority wants!) However, this is NOT the fault of the City Council but typical of a city that apparently is under-policed.

As an American and a Santa Barbara resident I extend my sorrow and sympathy to “Henry T”. I don’t know what to say about the behavior of the Cottage Hospital physician except to hope that Henry T files a complaint and it is investigated so that such treatment never happens again to anyone.


» AMS on 12.02.08 @ 08:11 PM

Unfortunatly with the growth in Santa Barbara and the lack of supervision of the younger generation…violence is growing in our community. This should not have happened. Henry should also been advised that walking alone at 2am after celebrating is not a wise decision.
I find the insident at Cottage Emergency Room hard to beleive….does Henry have a good command of the English Language? Did he miss understand what the Dr. said?


» Efa on 12.03.08 @ 03:46 AM

“AMS” your spelling is awful! What were you thinking?
“Insident”, “beleive”, “miss understand”...and you wanted to know if Henry had a good command of the English Language?


» k on 12.03.08 @ 05:30 AM

The article stated that Henry has recently received an English language certification so I don’t think he misunderstood the doctor.  Doctors can be rude and unfeeling just like anyone else.  There is no excuse for exhibiting behavior like that especially if you are in a position of authority/leadership like a physician.  The emergency room at Cottage Hospital is usually a nightmare - long waits, children running wild while waiting, the TV droning on very loudly.  I avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

AMS - please learn how to spell correctly.


» Another Victim on 12.03.08 @ 05:59 AM

I was a victim of a similar shameless act of violence, but it was early in the evening on Nov. 23. The attacker seemed to be more interested in beating me up than robbing me. I was knocked unconscious yet he did not take my watch or wallet. I think that he only too my cell phone because I was holding it in my hand. I ended up spending about a day at Cottage Hospital and cannot believe that the ER staff would give anyone “rough treatment.”  The important thing to learn from these incidents is to avoid walking at night unless it is with a group. Simply avoiding dark and quiet streets is not enough. I was attacked on Carrillo at 8pm.


» Anna on 12.05.08 @ 08:35 AM

It makes you wonder if there is some gang initiation rite to simply attack someone.  Perhaps getting the wallet, or other items, is simply a bonus.


» Michael on 12.08.08 @ 02:20 PM

It is a sad day that life has become so precarious here in Santa Barbara and it is especially disappointing the city and services has done so little for a guest. The treatment Henry received from Cottage Hospital is not surprising, but he is a guest here and Cottage Hospital and all ancillary services represent the United States. His violent encounter and poor treatment by Cottage Hospital are a bad reflection on our community and Nation. We need to work vigilantly to take care of our own, because (as we see in this example) reflects on how we treat our guests.


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