Angry security guard ‘purposely’ runs down child on bicycle, California cops say

An angry security guard “purposely struck” a child on a bicycle at a San Rafael shopping mall and drove away, California police reported.

Melvin Anthony Kennedy, 66, returned to the scene and surrendered to officers in the incident, which took place just before 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, the San Rafael Police Department said in a June 12 news release.

Kennedy faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse, police said.

He shouted at some children who had taken down caution tape blocking off part of a two-story parking garage at Northgate Mall in the city’s Terra Linda neighborhood, onlookers told police.

Kennedy began to pursue the youths in his security patrol vehicle, striking a child on a bicycle, police said. He stopped briefly, then drove away, officers said.

The youth was treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Kennedy worked for a private security company contracted to patrol the mall, police said.

Police ask anyone with information to call 415-485-3000.

San Rafael is about a 20-mile drive north from San Francisco.

This story was originally published June 16, 2025 at 2:08 PM with the headline "Angry security guard ‘purposely’ runs down child on bicycle, California cops say."