Family members are demanding justice and hate crime charges after a high school student was brutally beaten by a mob at an impromptu Palmdale rock concert.
Video of the violent attack, which has since gone viral, shows 17-year-old Elijah Green curled up on the dirt while a group of at least four people, believed to be adults, repeatedly stomp on, kick and punch him while others are heard supporting the fight from out of frame.
Audio from the footage also captures the offenders using racial slurs amidst the physical assault.
“We were in the hospital watching the video,” said Elijah’s mother, Roneika Green, during a Monday morning news conference. “No mother should have to watch their child being stomped like this.”
The incident allegedly happened last month after some people in attendance claimed Elijah had touched a woman inappropriately the night before. However, Roneika denies that, and instead said her son tripped and leaned against the woman to try to break his fall.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provided KTLA with a statement regarding the night of the attack that read in part, “Palmdale Station is aware of an assault with a deadly weapon that occurred on the above date at an impromptu concert at the intersection of Old Harold Road and Firethorn Avenue.”
LASD said detectives have been assigned to the case and are in “extensive contact with the victim and his family.” Officials did not explicitly say the victim’s name or age, or provide further information about the report of an assault with a deadly weapon.
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Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) -
Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) -
Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali) -
Elijah Green, 17, is seen being beaten by a mob at an outdoor Palmdale concert. May 2025. (Najee Ali)
Najee Ali, a local civil rights activist and Senior Organizer with Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches, said Elijah’s family reached out to him to serve as their spokesperson and advocate.
“The racially motivated assault of Elijah Green is one of the most horrifying hate crimes against a young Black person I’ve ever witnessed,” stated Ali. “This is L.A. vs Hate, and we are calling for a unified response from every community organization and leader who stands for justice.”
While the extent of Elijah’s injuries were not explicitly stated, Ali’s statement included a quote from Roneika, saying, “As a mother, watching my son get nearly beaten to death by a racist mob—while no one helped him—is something I’ll never forget.”
Officials said this is an active investigation.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department take any allegation of hate crimes seriously, and all cases will be thoroughly reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office in cooperation with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department,” read the department’s statement.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale Station Detective Peirson at 661-272-2477.
