Walking While White: Knockout Game Comes To Venice Beach

A suspect has been arrested in a random assault on a 61-year-old street performer caught on video in Venice over the weekend, officials said Wednesday.

Marco Harger, 45, of Los Angeles, has been identified as the man seen sucker-punching John Gavert as he danced on the Venice Beach Boardwalk Sunday afternoon, the L.A. Police Department said in a news release.

Harger was arrested Tuesday and booked on suspicion of battery causing serious bodily injury, police said.

Cellphone video of the incident on the 500 block of Ocean Front Walk shows the man identified as Harger walk past Gavert before swiftly turning around and punching him in the face. Harger then left the area.

Gavert is later seen on the ground being tended to as he holds his head. Police say he lost consciousness and was hospitalized with serious injuries.

The victim told KTLA Tuesday he used to worked in the insurance industry but now “lives to perform,” as bringing others happiness has eased his long-term depression.