Mini-Bike Riders Gang Up on Ian Ziering Over Traffic Altercation
In a shocking and bewildering video shared by TMZ, former Beverly Hills 90210 star Ian Ziering could be seen being collectively attacked by a group of mini-bike riders along Hollywood Boulevard last New Year’s Eve.
Though TMZ reporters at first didn’t know who attacked first or the reason for the brawl, a more careful look at the footage shows the blond actor already outside his vehicle before attacking the rider in front of him.
If he perhaps took the time to notice that the driver was within the vicinity of other mini-bikers, he might have decided against the rash decision to start a fight. Soon after aggressively shoving the first rider, the rest of the bikers ganged up on Ian. No less than five mini-bikers rushed to return the favor as they punched, grabbed, and chased Ian as he ran across the street in an attempt to escape a bigger fight than he’d anticipated.
After Ian managed to escape, another clip from TMZ showed one of the bikers smashing the windshield of Ian’s vehicle with a bike helmet. The 59-year-old actor eventually returned to his vehicle and comforted his ten-year-old daughter who was crying on the side of the road.
The news outlet reported that the filed police report listed Ian as the victim. Based on Ian’s statement on social media following the incident, it seems that the Sharknado lead actor is trying to paint himself as the victim of unsolicited violence.
Last January 1, he wrote on Instagram, “Yesterday, I experienced an alarming incident involving a group of individuals on mini bikes. While stuck in traffic, my car was approached aggressively by one of these riders leading to an unsettling confrontation.”
His post went on to say, “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.”
He then urged city officials to work against such acts of “lawlessness.”
Subsequent photos of the side of Ian’s vehicle, which is estimated to be worth around $100,000, showed no signs of damage. However, because of the altercation, its windshield was cracked.
Meanwhile, netizens are divided over who is to blame. Some believe that mini bikes, which cannot be classified as motorcycles or automobiles, are the problem.
“Generally, they are riding in groups and displaying maneuvers that are at odds with safe travel, thereby causing a public disturbance. Law enforcement authorities should address this problem in some fashion to hold these individuals responsible for presenting a safety issue,” wrote Dennis DeRosa.
A Facebook user who read the story simply commented, “Looks like he started it.”
Someone else pointed out that he put his child in danger: “If he was alone I’d say he did the right thing- BUT HE LEFT HIS TEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ALONE in the car?! – surrounded by those “ hooligans”??!!! He should have never ever got out of the car knowing his child was in the back, ever. He put her in danger to satisfy his ego.”
As of writing, the incident remains under investigation and no arrests have been made. The LAPD has not released any statements.
