In re A.J. CA1/3

BACKGROUND

In November 2022, 17-year-old A.J. and a friend approached Jane Doe — an unhoused woman living in People’s Park in Berkeley — to buy marijuana. Just before retrieving the marijuana, Jane recalled A.J. had previously robbed her. She turned to her friend, John Doe, and said, “ ‘This person robbed me before.’ ” John proceeded to hold A.J. from behind in “a 1 bear hug,” pinning his arms. The two fell to the ground. John released A.J., who ran away from the park. Minutes later, A.J. and his friend returned. The two began swinging a board or pole towards Jane and another park resident. John picked up a broken broomstick, approximately one foot in length, and hit each minor once. He did not hit them hard and simply wanted to get their attention. When attempting to back away, John fell, and the broomstick fell out of his hands. He curled up and used his hands to shield his face and head from A.J. and his friend, who were swinging their objects at him. Police officers stopped the fight and collected a “four-by-four wood stick” and metal pole covered in blood. A.J. had a busted lip but no broken bones. John had three large lacerations on his head requiring approximately 16…