VENTURA : Father, Son Assaulted by Gang Members

A father and son were assaulted by a band of gang members outside a Ventura elementary school auditorium as youngsters inside were taking part in a graduation ceremony, police said.

Philip G. Guinn, 40, and his 14-year-old son, Joseph, were attacked minutes after the elder Guinn stepped out of the auditorium to smoke a cigarette, authorities said.

The father suffered a minor stab wound to his arm and was struck several times. He was treated at Community Memorial Hospital and released, police said. His son was knocked to the ground and kicked several times, but received no treatment, authorities said.

The incident occurred about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday when Guinn noticed five youths standing next to his parked truck. He recognized them as members of a group that had confronted him verbally earlier in the week, police said.

Members of the group flashed gang signs and challenged Guinn to a fight. His son got involved in the confrontation when he walked outside to check on his father, authorities said.

The suspects fled before police arrived and no arrests have been made.