People v. Aparacio CA2/1

FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW

In the afternoon of May 15, 2022, Ryan C., the manager of a fast-food restaurant in Downey, found Aparacio standing near the speaker where customers place orders at the restaurant’s drive-thru. Ryan, who had been informed that Aparacio was harassing customers, approached Aparacio and asked him to leave. Aparacio responded, “fuck you.” When Aparacio continued to refuse to leave, Ryan threatened to call the police, at which point Aparacio said, “You know what, I have a little surprise for you. . . . [I]t looks like it’s your lucky day.” Aparacio reached into a nearby shopping cart that contained his possessions, pulled out a bottle of lighter fluid, and began squirting it over Ryan’s body from his chest to his knee. Ryan said, “[P]lease leave or else I’m going to call the cops.” Aparacio did not leave but went back behind his cart. Ryan heard a ripping sound, and Aparacio stepped out from behind the cart carrying a paper bag that he had lit on fire. Aparacio walked toward Ryan and threw the bag at him, but Ryan dodged out of the way. Ryan then rushed at Aparacio and tackled him to the ground. Ryan and another employee dragged Aparacio off the…