It all started at the Brew House in San Diego, where a small bar altercation ended in the death of a young man, and’ five others left to answer some tough questions. On May 24, La Jolla, San Diego, was the scene of a gang beating that took the life of professional surfer Emery Kauanui Jr.
The Bird Rock Bandits are a supposedly tight-knit group that had five of its members, including University of New Hampshire back- up quarterback Hank Hendricks, involved in the beating that took Kauanui’s life. According to the prosecutor Sophia Roach, Hendricks held back Kauanui’s girlfriend, who was the only person trying to stop the fight, while the beating took place.’ Roach also’ said that he had the opportunity to stop the fight himself, but chose not to.
On Monday September 10,Hendricks was arraigned for his involvement in the murder, and a previous assault from a New Years Eve party that he was also involved in. Prosecutor Roach, as stated by 10news.com, declared that Hendricks and his group started a fight at the News Years Eve party when they were denied entrance. Hendricks later punched a coach trying to break up the fight, knocking him to the ground and fleeing the scene before authorities arrived.
Hendricks, along with the other four members of the Bird Rock Bandits, have plead not guilty to all charges. Hendricks prosecutor described him as ‘A person of good character . . . he is the son people want to have,’ according to Singonsandiego.com.
All five men, if found guilty, can each face a life-time prison sentence. With prosecutors treating this as a case of gang violence, the verdict will likely be harsher to stay in accord with California law.
In the end, a simple bar fight cost a young man his life, and likely five others their futures.