Authorities on Thursday were searching for a man accused of beating the popular pastor of the Faith Center in San Fernando, where the suspect was a former church member.

Pastor Rudy Trujillo, 61, was attacked around 11 a.m. Wednesday in the 700 block of North Maclay Avenue, said San Fernando Police Sgt. Irwin Rosenberg.

“At this time we’re not releasing his name because we’re working on completing our investigation,” Rosenberg said about the suspect, adding that the pastor knew his assailant.

The motive for the assault was unclear, Rosenberg said.

Trujillo’s son Josh said on Thursday the man was a former member of his father’s church, but he could not say more because the incident was under investigation.

Rudy Trujillo was “blind sided” with an initial punch to the head, his son said, adding that his father was knocked to the ground, punched and kicked.

It was “baffling” that the pastor — who movingly spoke at an early March candlelight vigil for deceased 14-year-old Elias “Eli” Rodriguez — would be attacked, said Josh Trujillo, 34, of Sylmar.

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“We have no idea,” Josh Trujillo said, reflecting on any reasons behind the assault.

On Thursday, Rudy Trujillo underwent successful surgery for a broken hip.

“Everything went well,” Josh Trujillo said on Thursday afternoon. “He’s out of surgery right now.”

The pastor’s son said he hoped that the incident would show that love is stronger than hate.

“My dad works with youths and troubled youths and hopefully this can be an example of non-violence, non-retaliation and forgiveness,” Josh Trujillo said.

San Fernando Mayor Robert Gonzales said the pastor was “completely loved” by the local community for getting people off the streets, helping those involved with gang violence, preaching, workshops and so much more.

“I can’t even name how many people he’s been able to help over the last few years,” Gonzales said. “It’s extremely important to me that we’re able to apprehend the individual who did this, because it will bring closure to so many of our residents and beyond our residents and the city of San Fernando.” Gonzales said he was impressed that the pastor, despite being the victim of violence, immediately wanted to seek forgiveness for his attacker.

“Emotions can take over and people can say things, but his immediate reaction was to try to forgive. That just speaks to what a passionate individual he is,” Gonzales said.