Suspect detained in fan’s beating

LESTER HOLT, anchor: Police in Los Angeles arrested a suspect today in the brutal beating of a San Francisco Giants fan outside LA 's Dodger Stadium . The case prompted outrage in the sports world and an outpouring of support for the victim. NBC 's George Lewis has more tonight.

GEORGE LEWIS reporting: It was early this morning when a SWAT team stormed this apartment building, hauling in at least on suspect for questioning in the beating case. The victim, paramedic Bryan Stow , a father of two, is a Giants fan and was wearing his team's jersey at the Dodgers ' home opener against the Giants back in March when he was jumped by a pair of angry LA fans. Dolores Donnelly witnessed the beating.

Ms. DOLORES DONNELLY: I heard someone yell some cuss words and then bam. And then we seen Brian on the ground.

LEWIS: Beaten so badly that he remains in a coma in a San Francisco hospital.

Ms. ANN STOW (Bryan Stow's Mother): It's going to be a long road to recovery. We're looking at over a year of rehab.

LEWIS: Today there was this reaction to the arrest from the Giants ' manager.

Mr. BRUCE BOCHY (San Francisco Giants Manager): It's great news. Hopefully they'll catch everybody who was involved in this senseless act.

LEWIS: In a phone interview, Stow 's sister, Bonnie , said, "I can't even tell you the emotions we're going through right now. Excited is all we can say." The LA police have promised an immediate crackdown. Heavier security at Dodger Stadium and an all out hunt for those involved in the beating.

Mr. CHARLIE BECK (Los Angeles Police Chief): You're going to see a sea of blue. And it's not going to be Dodger blue . It's going to be LAPD blue.

LEWIS: Based on eyewitness descriptions, the police sketches of the suspects went up on 300 billboards all over Los Angeles . All of that led to the police bust today. Now, many baseball fans are hoping that will send a strong message to stadium hooligans.

Unidentified Man: It's America 's favorite pastime. That stuff doesn't need to happen.

LEWIS: The fans, Major League Baseball and police all agree the violence has to end. George Lewis , NBC News, Los Angeles .

HOLT: When NBC NIGHTLY NEWS continues on this Sunday evening, news