Violent Robbery Of Transgender Women Investigated As Hate Crime

HOLLYWOOD, CA — The violent robbery and assault of three transgender women in Hollywood Monday morning has sparked a hate crime investigation. Police said the attack happened around 2:15 a.m. near 6500 Hollywood Blvd, after the first suspect approached the women and offered to buy them merchandise at a nearby store.

Footage of the incident shows a large group of men mocking Jaslyn Whiterose, Eden The Doll, and Joslyn Flawless, three transgender women with large social media followings.

The men continuously threaten the women and steal their possessions, taking one woman's phone and demanding money to return it. At one point, a man sneaks up behind Whiterose and strikes her in the head, causing her to pass out on the curb.

An LAPD squad car eventually approaches with its siren on as the woman lies motionless. The car stops for a brief moment, and then drives off without investigating the scene.

The videos quickly went viral and drew widespread condemnation toward the men responsible for the attack. Flawless called it the "scariest moment of her life" in a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday.

"This is where i was while @edenthedoll and @jaslenewhiterose were crying for help," she said. "He held a crow bar to my face and threatened to kill me unless I stripped my shoes off and gave him my jewelry and all my processions. He said if i was trans he would kill me. He then forced me to hold his hand while he looks for my friends to kill them for being trans. Meanwhile men and WOMEN screaming that I’m a man and telling him to beat me. Please help us find them. PLEASE."

The search is still on for the suspects. According to LA Times, the LAPD is also investigating the response of the officers, who Police Chief Michel Moore said were on the way to another emergency call when they drove past the scene.

Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Stogner at 213-972-2934.