Man Wanted For Attack Near Natomas School Arrested

Jimmy Turner’s facial injuries required a dozen stitches. / Courtesy Photo

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

A man wanted for a brutal attack in front of a Natomas school on Tuesday turned himself in to police just before midnight last night.

Emmitt Lee Lewis surrendered to police in San Jose, according to Sacramento police spokesman Doug Morse. Lewis was arrested and charged with felony assault and mayhem and released on bail, said Morse.

On May 7 at about 3:25 p.m., police officers were dispatched to a report of a fight between two subjects in the street in front of Westlake Charter School, located at 3800 Del Paso Road.

According to police and witness accounts, Lewis – a parent – became agitated by a traffic jam during after school pick up and started yelling at a female parent. Worried about the woman’s safety, another parent identified as Jimmy Turner intervened.

Video taped accounts show Lewis assaulted Turner, punching him several times in the face and kicking him repeatedly after Turner fell to the ground. Police said Turner sustained facial injuries which required a dozen stitches as well as bruising to his back, arm and hand. Turner was transported UC Davis Medical Center by ambulance where he was treated for his injuries and released.

“I ask that people do not let what happened to me stop them from helping someone when they are in trouble,” said Turner. “I hate the way I feel right now physically, but I will heal, and if I had sat in my car and watched that man do something horrible to that woman, I never would.”

Lewis, president of the recreation Inderkum Junior Tigers football league in Natomas, has reportedly resigned from his position.

Westlake Charter School interim executive director Kate Burwinkel issued a statement Friday saying Lewis is not allowed on campus and that school officials will pursue legal action to prevent him from doing so. Both the school’s campuses on Del Paso Road and East Commerce Way have been locked to unauthorized visitors, she said.

“Westlake Charter School will continue to cooperate with the police and the District Attorney and will continue to have police support during student drop off and pick up,” Burwinkel said.