By Lookout Staff

April 21, 2023 -- A man was hospitalized Thursday evening after a stranger smashed two chairs on the table where he and his partner were dining outside the California Pizza Kitchen Downtown, police said.

Police quickly responded to the assault, which was reported to 9-1-1 at around 7:43 p.m. at the restaurant located at 210 Wilshire Boulevard, said Lt. Erica Aklunfi, the Police Department spokesperson.

Officers assigned to the Department’s Downtown Services Unit "were at the scene within two minutes" and "found a table on its side and broken dishes and food on the floor," Aklufi said.

"The victim of the attack was bleeding from cuts on his hand," she said.

The suspect -- who appeared to be homeless -- was already gone from the area, Aklufi said.

The victim and several witnesses told the officers that the male suspect, who was not known to the victim, approached him and his dining partner "without provocation" while they sat at their table.

He "picked up two chairs, and slammed them down on the table," Aklufi said.

"At some point during the altercation, the victim fell to the ground and cut his hand on broken dishware on the floor," she said.

The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment for the lacerations.

The suspect is described as male, White, 5' 8", 180 to 200 pounds, of an unknown age, police said. He has a full beard and was wearing a green or brown jacket, orange sweater, white undershirt, blue jeans and blue framed glasses.

Any one with any information about the incident or person(s) involved should call SMPD Sergeant Goodwin during business hours at 310-458-8451, email him at chad.goodwin@santamonica.gov or call the Watch Commander (24 hours) at 310-458-8427.