News Summary
Robert Armani Mason has been sentenced to five years in prison after stabbing Kevin Catalan during a nightclub altercation in Costa Mesa. The incident escalated from a dispute on the patio to violence in the parking lot, resulting in serious injuries for the victim and two others. Despite claiming provocation and having a previously clean record, Mason was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. The case highlights concerns over safety in nightlife venues and provokes discussions on future policies to ensure guest safety.
Costa Mesa – Tremere Robert Armani Mason, a 28-year-old man, has been sentenced to five years in prison following a stabbing incident at a Costa Mesa nightclub. Mason was convicted in August for a felony count of assault with a deadly weapon after a quarrel escalated into violence, resulting in serious injuries to another man.
The incident occurred on August 2, 2022, around 11:15 p.m. in the parking lot of The Triangle nightclub, located at 1870 Harbor Blvd. During the confrontation, Mason stabbed Kevin Catalan, the victim, after a dispute that started on the nightclub’s patio and escalated onto the dance floor. While Catalan suffered a stab wound to the chest and required surgery, two other men, Marcus Blevins and Abraham Lee, were also stabbed during the altercation.
Mason’s lawyers noted that he had no previous criminal history and argued that he was provoked during the incident, claiming he only resorted to using a knife when he was outnumbered by four men. They presented video evidence intended to support their case, which depicted the moments leading up to the fight.
Despite being convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, jurors acquitted Mason of additional charges related to the stabbings of Blevins and Lee. Additionally, sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury were rejected by the jury. Mason received credit for 780 days already served in custody prior to his sentencing.
The maximum potential sentence Mason faced was seven years, with the Deputy District Attorney recommending a six-year sentence and the defense requesting a lesser sentence of two to three years. Mason’s expression of remorse was acknowledged during the sentencing process, particularly his recognition of almost killing someone. He attributed his actions to “fear and anger” and conceded that he needs further counseling to address personal issues.
The evening began when Catalan, along with friends, attended La Vida Cantina for drinks, dancing, and tacos. A confrontation occurred on the patio of The Triangle, where Mason allegedly made threatening remarks. The situation escalated on the dance floor when the two men bumped into each other, ultimately leading to the chaos in the parking lot, where Mason reportedly threw the first punch.
Following the incident, Catalan was promptly taken to the hospital due to the severity of his injury. The court noted Mason’s family circumstances during sentencing, which included having a young daughter and expecting another child, which contributed to the considerations surrounding his case.
This incident raises concerns about safety in nightlife venues and the potential consequences of escalating conflicts among patrons. While Mason now faces substantial time in prison, the ongoing discussions surrounding the incident may impact future policies and practices at local establishments aimed at ensuring guest safety.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Trial Underway for Son Accused of Killing Parents and Housekeeper
Newport Beach Man Pleads Not Guilty in Triple Homicide
Orange County Reports Restaurant Closures and Reopenings
Female Pedestrian Critically Injured in Newport Beach Hit-and-Run
Orange County Mandates Temporary Closure of Restaurants
New Emergency Pet Hospital Opens in Costa Mesa
Former Deputy Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Inmates
Huntington Beach Hosts Brad Pitt for New Film Production
Jason Chamness Appointed as Deputy Chief of Costa Mesa Police Department
Orange County Health Inspectors Enforce Food Vendor Closures
Additional Resources
- MyNewsLA: Man Gets 5 Years in Costa Mesa Nightclub Stabbing
- Wikipedia: Nightclub
- FOX LA: Costa Mesa Nightclub Fight, 2 Arrested
- Google Search: Costa Mesa Nightclub Stabbing
- LA Times: Woman Gets Pretrial Diversion in Nightclub Stabbing
- Google Scholar: Costa Mesa Nightclub
- OC Register: Torrance Man Arrested for Fatal Shooting Outside Stanton Nightclub
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Costa Mesa
- AZ Family: 2 Men Killed in Mesa Nightclub Shooting
- Google News: Nights out in Costa Mesa
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
