Lundin’s death a tragedy

By Danielle Seckler

   What started out as a dispute over the volume of car stereos, escalated into the death of Michael Lundin in Big Bear Lake, on Wednesday, June 18, 2008; the first homicide in Big Bear Lake since 2006. The disagreement began Tuesday afternoon in a park when two men told a group of people to turn down their car stereo. After an argument, the two men left, picked up a friend and went to a Denny's restaurant on Big Bear Boulevard, San Bernardino County sheriff's Sgt. Tony DeCecio said.

   At Denny’s, one man stepped out to have a cigarette and found himself being attacked by a group from the incident at the park. Though he had minor injuries, a report was filed with the Sheriff’s Department, and the victim vowed not to prosecute any arrested parties, as he did not wish to be involved in a court case. The matter would have ended there, however the victim spoke with a friend, who knew one of the attackers. His friends came up with a plan for a rematch, stated DeCecio. As both sides circulated the planned fight was to be held in the 700 Block of Knickerbocker Drive, no one from the first two incidents showed up. “Basically what happens is there's an agreement to have a second fight,” said sheriff's Detective Jason Radeleff. “That second fight involves people who were not involved in the first fight.”

   Lundin, a former defensive and offensive lineman for the Big Bear High School football team, and two of his friends who were former athletes, arrived on their own for the fight. About a dozen people from the other side showed up and deputies reported that some were armed with weapons. Investigators say Mark Anthony Potts and Christopher Michael Day, both 18, along with 19-year-old David Alexander Ferguson, jumped into the fight, beating 20- and 21-year-old men who were with Lundin. Chalen Wesley Winters, 18, reportedly knocked Lundin over the head. Deputies did not identify the object that was used. After the brawl, some of the group ran off, leaving Lundin dying on the street, though several of the people who supported the suspect tried to render aid to the victim, said DeCecio. “There were some good kids on both sides. I don't think some of these people expected this to happen.”

   Investigators spent hours interviewing witnesses. On Thursday, June 19, the witnesses formed a line outside of the Big Bear Sheriff’s station, some of which brought in their parents. Potts and Day were arrested when they came to the station to inquire about the incident. Winters and his attorney surrendered to authorities, where he was arrested at 8:00 p.m. Deputies held Winters on suspicion of homicide. The other three are suspected of assault with great bodily injury. The investigation is continuing, but detectives expect to submit their criminal case to prosecutors Monday. Anyone with information on this case may call homicide detectives at 909-387-3589.

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