SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A La Mesa man is making an appeal for tips after a night out in the Gaslamp District ended in brutal fashion.
James, who asked us not to use his last name, and a good friend went out for drinks on Saturday night.
"We had no issues with anybody. We had a great time," said James.
Around 1:30 a.m., his girlfriend Erica headed downtown to pick them up and got a call from James.
"He said that they got hit, but I wasn't sure how serious it was," said Erica. "It was just a surreal nightmare."
Soon after, she would see just how serious. At Island Avenue and 6th Avenue, dried blood stains remain visible on the sidewalk.
James doesn't remember being attacked, only the aftermath.
"Sitting against the wall just pouring blood out of my face, watching it fall on the ground. So scary. I didn't know if I was going to live or die. I didn't know if I had been stabbed," said James.
Witnesses told Erica three men with dark hair jumped both men, punching and kicking them. James' friend was also covered in blood.
"He said that he was punched in the face, attacked from behind," said Erica.
James was rushed to the hospital. His jaw was broken in two places. Surgeons inserted metal plates, wiring his jaw shut. His nose was broken in three places.
"This shouldn't happen to people," said a tearful James. "I'd like to see these people brought to justice so that they can't do this to anybody else."
James hopes more witnesses will now come forward to help identify his attackers.
Erica says one witness told her the three men were accompanied by a woman with dreadlocks. If you have information on the case, you're asked to call San Diego Police at 619-531-2000.
A Gofundme campaign has been set up to help with James' expenses.
