San Diego, California — A member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang has been sentenced to 21 years to life in state prison for his role in a racially motivated stabbing that left a young Black man critically injured. The attack, which involved several gang members, took place in Ocean Beach and targeted three Black men on June 6, 2023.
Troy Andrew Scholder, 44, described as a prominent figure in the San Diego County chapter of the Hells Angels, was found guilty of attempted murder, assault, and committing a hate crime. His sentencing follows a grand jury indictment that included 17 individuals linked to the violent confrontation.
Prosecutors detailed a chaotic scene where the victims, aged 19, 20, and 21, were pursued down Newport Avenue after one of them reportedly spoke to a female associate of a Hells Angels member. Two of the victims were violently assaulted, subjected to physical beatings while racial slurs were hurled at them. One victim was particularly vulnerable on the ground when Scholder brandished a knife, stabbing him in the chest and causing severe injuries that nearly proved fatal.
Deputy District Attorney Miriam Hemming explained the severity of the stabbing, highlighting that the knife not only fractured the victim’s sternum but also penetrated his lung and severed an artery. The attack was marked by a blatant show of racism, as the assailants made it clear that the victims were not welcome in the neighborhood.
Scholder’s lengthy prison sentence was influenced by a prior conviction relating to a robbery of a former gang member seeking to exit the organization. A defense attorney sought to challenge this strike, arguing that Scholder had not engaged in criminal activity in the years leading up to the incident in Ocean Beach.
However, the prosecution maintained that the context of the attack underscored Scholder’s leadership role among the assailants, many of whom openly expressed racist sentiments. Hemming pointed to Scholder’s gang associations and his tattoos that reflect White supremacist beliefs as indicators of his motives.
The assault’s aftermath painted a disturbing picture, with witnesses describing the victims as being “beaten within an inch of their lives.” Following the stabbing, Scholder was reportedly taken from the scene by his fellow gang members to their clubhouse in El Cajon. The authorities arrested him and his co-defendants nearly three months later, following a comprehensive investigation into the violent episode.
Hemming recalled a prior altercation in 2003 that also involved Scholder using racial epithets, demonstrating a troubling pattern of behavior. In that incident, he clashed with a Black man in a bar and made derogatory comments when confronted by officers.
As the community grapples with the implications of this hate-fueled attack, the case highlights ongoing concerns regarding gang violence and racial discrimination. The harsh penalty for Scholder may serve as a warning against racially motivated violence that can wreak havoc on communities.