Ian Ziering details 'unsettling confrontation' with bikers on New Year's Eve that led to attack
"Beverly Hills, 90210" star Ian Ziering was the apparent victim of a horrific daylight brawl involving multiple mini-motorcycle riders on Los Angeles' Hollywood Boulevard on New Year's Eve.
The violent incident involving the "Sharknado" star on Dec. 31 was captured on video and posted to TMZ. The instantly recognizable Ziering, 59, is identified as the victim getting pummeled by the group of helmeted riders.
Ziering shared a video message on Instagram Monday detailing the "alarming incident."
"While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation," Ziering wrote. "In an attempt to assess any damage I exited my car. This action, unfortunately, escalated into a physical altercation, which I navigated to protect myself."
In the video footage of the attack, Ziering was quickly surrounded by as many as four helmeted riders who threw punches and kicks before he sprinted across the street. One attacker brandished a motorcycle helmet as a weapon and chased Ziering onto the sidewalk, where he broke free.
"I am relieved to report that my daughter and I are both completely unscathed, but the incident has left me deeply concerned about the growing boldness of such groups who disrupt public safety and peace," Ziering wrote on Instagram. "This situation highlights a larger issue of hooliganism on our streets and the need for effective law enforcement responses to such behavior."
When reached by USA TODAY, the Los Angeles Police Department did not confirm the identity of the attack victim. But officers are investigating the incident, which took place at around 3 p.m. Sunday near the famed corner of Hollywood and Highland, right along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"The mini-motorcycle riders were driving recklessly and struck the victim's vehicle and an altercation occurred," LAPD media spokesperson Lt. Letisia Ruiz told USA TODAY.
By the time police arrived on the scene, "the bikers were gone. So the investigation is still ongoing at this time," Ruiz said.
TMZ reported that Ziering was listed as a victim in an official report. As of Sunday evening, police had not made any arrests.
In a later TMZ video, Ziering appeared to comfort his visibly upset daughter, Mia, 12, after the incident.
Ziering concluded his Instagram post urging "city officials and law enforcement to take decisive action against such lawlessness and provide the necessary resources to prevent future occurrences."
"As a citizen and a parent, I find it unacceptable that groups can freely engage in this kind of behavior, causing fear and chaos, while the response from authorities seems insufficient," Ziering said. "I have always been an advocate for standing up against intimidation and misconduct, and this incident reinforces my belief in the importance of personal and community safety."
Contributing: Edward Segarra, USA TODAY
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