George man severely beaten with baseball bats

QUINCY — A George man was severely beaten by three men with baseball bats early Monday, in what the Grant County Sheriff's Office believes was a "gang-style" attack.

Jose A. Fonseca, 23, was taken to Quincy Valley Hospital by two female companions. He was transferred to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle and is in stable but serious condition, said Chief Deputy John Turley.

Fonseca suffered severe head injuries, including a dislodged jaw, a bruised and swollen brain, as well as numerous facial fractures, Turley said.

Fonseca was apparently driving to Ephrata on Monument Hill Road, north of Quincy, with the two female companions, Turley said.

When another vehicle approached from behind, flashing its lights, the women asked Fonseca to stop, suspecting friends may be trying to catch up with them, Turley said.

After Fonseca stopped, the two women said a man carrying a baseball bat approached the driver's side of Fonseca's 2000 Ford Escort, demanding money, Turley said.

Fonseca and his passengers reportedly said they had no money, Turley said. The man reportedly proceeded to smash the side windows of Fonseca's car.

Fonseca exited the vehicle to fight with the man, but was then allegedly bludgeoned by three men with bats, according to the two female witnesses. All three men were apparently from the other vehicle, the two women told sheriff's office investigators.

The sheriff's office, for investigative reasons, is withholding the names of the two women who apparently witnessed the reported attack.

Turley said Fonseca is believed to be a member of a Quincy gang known as "Marijuanos."

Grant County sheriff's detectives are investigating, Turley said.

Quincy Police Chief Bill Gonzales said Marijuanos are a loosely-organized, primarily-Hispanic gang with members from George and other towns around Grant County.

"It's a pretty good-sized group, we've identified some of the people," Gonzalez said.