After video surfaced of an attack on an elderly Asian man walking his dog at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine on Friday, March 19, the Irvine Police have arrested 23-year-old Keven Quiroz, a resident of Tustin, and charged him with assault. Police also reported an unloaded gun was found in Quiroz’s vehicle, but is not related to the case.

Quiroz’s arrest just comes less than a week after the March 19 attack in Irvine. The attack was captured on surveillance footage, which shows a male suspect kick and hit a male, who was later identified as the victim. In a tweet on Thursday, March 25, the Irvine Police Department made the announcement that Quiroz was arrested.

“The Irvine Police Department has arrested Kevin Quiroz, 23, for the assault of an elderly male that occurred last Friday evening.

“IPD released photographs and surveillance video of the suspect on Monday, March 22, which resulted in multiple tips from the public over the last several days. One of those tips, from an anonymous source, led to the identification of Quiroz, as a possible suspect in this case.

This morning, IPD detectives located him at his apartment in the city of Tustin. Evidence linking him to the assault was recovered at his residence. Detectives also located an unloaded rifle in Quiroz’s vehicle, which is unrelated to the case.”

While there was speculation that the attack may have been race-related, the IPD clarified the assault may have been a result of an argument regarding the suspect’s dog not being on a leash.

The attack, which occurred on Friday, March 19, occurred just hours after the city of Irvine held a Stop Asian Hate rally. During the rally, the Irvine Police Department announced the launch of a new, submission-based hate crime and hate incident tool.

Quiroz has been booked in Orange County Jail on charges f assault with a deadly weapon and elderly abuse.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.