BERKELEY – A neighborhood resident in his 40s has been accused of groping an 11-year-old “with sufficient force to cause visible bruising” during a concert at considered one of the East Bay's most iconic and iconic venues.
Kevin Luzzi, 41, was charged with two counts of lewd act on a baby and one count of assault, all in reference to a concert last month at 924 Gilman in Berkeley. Luzzi pleaded not guilty and is released on $100,000 bail but was ordered by a judge to keep away from the venue, court records show.
According to Berkeley police, Luzzi was identified by two witnesses and “preliminarily identified” by the victim, who picked out his photo from a series of double-blind photos. Authorities allege that Luzzi and the girl each attended a metal show on April 5 and that other concertgoers noticed that Luzzi seemed particularly “fixated” on the girl throughout the night.
At some point, Luzzi allegedly created a mosh pit that led to the girl being separated from her friends, police said. He then allegedly walked as much as her and grabbed the girl.
In addition to the witness statements, police say they’ve obtained video surveillance footage showing Luzzi “escape” to his vehicle after the sexual assault.
An all-ages venue, 924 Gilman is widely known within the East Bay for being instrumental within the rise of local punk and independent music, particularly within the Nineteen Eighties and '90s.
Luzzi's attorney declined to comment since the case continues to be in its early stages.
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