Police needs public's help identifying man who beat up Orinda partygoer

ORINDA, Calif. (KGO) -- A house party that took place over the weekend in Orinda ended in a violent beating, leaving one man fighting for his life. Now police are hoping tips from the public will help identify a suspect.

There were blood stains left behind in the parking lot across the street from the house where the party took place.

Police only have one blurry photo of the man they think is responsible for the assault, but they say he was wearing a distinctive black and white shirt.

When neighbor Joe Gordon walked by the house on Camino Encinas in Orinda on Friday night, he says the part seemed to be under control.

He said, "We had our eye out and our ear open. We were nearby. We thought well if we hear something, we'll call it in."

Then around 2 a.m. Saturday, police were called to the parking lot across the street. That's where they found an unidentified 21-year-old man lying unconscious in critical condition.

More party guests had spilled out into the street and Gordon said, "It was kids, older kids. I would say late high school, early college. It was dark."

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's office posted the one picture on Twitter of the man they're looking for. They say he's the suspect who beat the victim.

Both men are believed to have been guests at the five-bedroom, five-bath home advertised on Airbnb.

The home is meant to accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, but neighbors tell us the renter held a big party instead.

Neighbor James Bell said, "Which is probably something you didn't want in the first place. But it happened and now you're wondering what your liability is to that party that took place."

ABC7 News tried contacting the homeowner, but no one was home.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office has taken over the case because it could become a homicide. Investigators would like to hear from anyone with information about what happened.