Attack in California city bay, a start to tragedy (4,3,2)

I believe the answer is:

lash out at

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'attack' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'california city bay a start to tragedy' is the wordplay.
'california city' becomes 'LA' (Los Angeles).
'bay' becomes 'shout' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'start to' indicates taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'tragedy' is 't'.
'la'+'shout'+'a'+'t'='LASH OUT AT'

'in' acts as a link.

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I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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