Alex Garcia, the 34-year-old mayor of Wasco, California, claims he was tricked into meeting a 15-year-old boy he had been communicating with on a gay dating app. However, upon arrival, he was confronted by two self-proclaimed vigilantes who recorded themselves beating him.

The video, posted to a Facebook group called "Bakersfield Crime Watch," shows Garcia arriving at a prearranged location with condoms, marijuana, sex toys, and amyl nitrate. The men who confronted him, who identified themselves as brothers, claimed they were posing online as teens to catch predators.

Garcia's lawyer, Jared Thompson, said his client was the victim of a hate crime or homophobic attack. He also said that Garcia was advised not to make any statements due to ongoing investigations.

Bakersfield police confirmed they are aware of the video but have not been able to contact the men involved. The men told a reporter that they did not intend to fight Garcia but felt threatened when he reached into his bag.

Garcia was first elected in 2016 but stepped down in 2021 following a drunk driving arrest. He was reinstated to office last December.

The Kern County Democratic Party has called for Garcia to resign from his position on the Wasco City Council.