Stepdad arrested after video shows him hitting female players at women’s basketball game

CORINA, Calif. (KTLA) – A 39-year-old convicted felon was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly punched three female athletes during a women’s basketball game in Corina, Calif., and threatened students with a gun, news reported the police.

The incident was reported around 8:35 p.m. on January 24, after a fight broke out during a basketball game between Centennial High School and Santiago High School.

Witnesses told police that two students from both teams were involved in a fight on the field. Video obtained by KTLA from Nexstar shows the man – believed to be a player’s stepfather – jumping into the fray and throwing punches.

At the time he was detained, the suspect allegedly punched three girls, one of whom was just 14, police said.

The man left the gymnasium and witnesses overheard him mentioning that he was going to get a gun, according to a news release from the Corona Police Department. That’s when the suspect drove to the parking lot, retrieved the gun from his car, then pointed the gun at several students and threatened to shoot them before driving off, it said. the police.

The suspect was eventually identified as Thaddis Brooks of Perris, California. He had previously been convicted of criminal threats and narcotics charges, officials said.

Officers found no firearms after searching Brooks’ home, but authorities found more than 40 dogs on his property, police said.

Brooks now faces charges of willful harm to a child, threatening terrorism and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

As for the dogs, authorities later said Brooks was a licensed breeder and the animals — mastiffs, cane corsos and bulldogs — were in good condition.

Brooks is being held on $350,000 bond.

The Corona-Norco School District said it would enact new safety measures at sporting events after the violent incident.