I said random because I haven't heard of anything linking the attacker and the commissioner beyond that the attacker was homeless and camped near the house.

> who alleges that the victim initiated the confrontation by pepper spraying him.

The reports I have seen state that the attacker claims the victim sprayed him with bear mace, not pepper spray. Regardless of this - and other minute points that don't matter - the subsequent footage of the attack shows the commissioner turning his back to and running away from the attacker, who quickly gives chase. It doesn't matter who started it; there's no justification for continuing the assault in such a situation.