Salinas police are actively searching for an unidentified suspect accused of assaulting an officer during an illegal car meet that took place in East Salinas. The incident began at a Foods Co parking lot and later moved to a Circle K on Sanborn Road. According to Salinas Police Department spokesperson Rosemerry Dere, officers initially cleared the crowd at the grocery store, but drivers relocated to the Circle K, where the situation escalated. As an officer attempted to detain a 23-year-old driver for reckless driving, a crowd surrounded the officer. During this confrontation, one individual kicked the officer in the head while he was on the ground detaining the driver. Witnesses reported that people were also shouting slurs at the officers and filming the incident. Witness Silvia Martinez described the chaos, noting that high-speed chases occurred when police attempted to shut down the gathering. The attack has drawn strong reactions from city officials, including Councilmember Tony Barrera, who expressed concern over the violence against law enforcement. He emphasized that many participants are followers rather than leaders, allowing momentum for such behavior to build quickly. Salinas police confirmed that the officer involved is okay and highlighted their training in handling large crowds. The department is requesting all video footage from the incident to assist in their investigation and make an arrest. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Salinas police. The suspect remains at large, and the investigation is ongoing.