2 women assaulted outside Badlands nightclub in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights district, police say
Police said they have not yet confirmed whether the latest attack in the LGBTQ+ area was motivated by bias.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Two women were assaulted outside the Badlands nightclub in Sacramento’s Lavender Heights district early Monday, police said.
Police said officers responded to reports of an assault in the 2000 block of K Street just before 2:45 a.m. The women suffered minor injuries.
Police said they have not yet confirmed whether the attack was motivated by bias. Badlands is a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub in the city.
“We take this incident extremely seriously,” Badlands’ Director of Operations Brian Aranda said in a statement to KCRA 3. “We are actively cooperating with law enforcement and have provided investigators with the available surveillance video.”
Aranda added that the assault happened after the club had closed.
“Our personnel saw the altercation unfold, and management and staff responded immediately to intervene,” Aranda said. “Management called 911 and remained with those involved while law enforcement responded. The safety of our guests, employees and the entire Lavender Heights community remains our highest priority. We are increasing our security presence, reviewing additional safety measures and will have guards available to escort guests to their vehicles upon request.”
Security was top of mind during the Rainbow Festival after recent attacks
The assaults followed the conclusion of Sunday’s Rainbow Festival, which drew large crowds to Lavender Heights amid stepped-up security over heightened safety concerns.
Security was a key focus at the festival. Multiple security gates surrounding the event and additional personnel were hired in the wake of several attacks against members of the LGBTQ+ community over the past year in the Midtown district.
A week ago, a Sacramento man reported being targeted and attacked alongside his friend for being members of the LGBTQ+ community. Multiple victims described a group of four men shouting homophobic slurs before attacking them near near 20th and L streets.
Joseph Sais said he had always considered the neighborhood a place where he could freely celebrate his identity.
“How can this happen here?” Sais said. “How can this happen in a space where it’s for us? It’s for queer individuals to come feel supported.”
Sacramento police have not yet made any arrests in connection with the incident.
Ahead of the Rainbow Festival, flyers highlighted the attack against Sais as well as another attack against Andy Cortez nearly a year ago that also involved four men, and another deadly attack.
Cortez said he was attacked near 20th and H streets on Oct. 7, 2025, while walking home from Lavender Heights after being followed by men who shouted anti-gay slurs and attacked him from behind. The attack left Cortez with broken teeth that had not been repaired nearly a year later.
Weeks after that incident, another man, Alvin Prasad, was assaulted after leaving Badlands on Halloween in 2025. Prasad later died from his injuries. A 25-year-old man faces an involuntary manslaughter charge with a hate crime enhancement in connection with his death.
The Midtown Association said last week that Safe Space training for businesses is planned for later this year.
The organization also plans to increase lighting along K Street in Lavender Heights.
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–KCRA 3’s Esteban Reynosa and Andres Valle contributed to this report.