Second Man Charged In MacArthur Park Attack On Transgender Woman

LOS ANGELES, CA — A second man has been charged in connection with the MacArthur Park stabbing of a transgender woman in October. Javier Trimin-Rodrigez, 22, was charged with one felony count each of attempted murder and extortion.

The charges also include allegations of a hate crime, great bodily injury and a gang affiliation enhancement.

Co-defendant Margarita Valencia, 23, faces a felony count of extortion involving another transgender woman on or between June and August. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office also said Valencia committed the crime in association with a street gang.

On October 16, 24-year-old Donoban Fonseca was charged after prosecutors said he was involved in the attack. According to the District Attorney's Office, Fonseca also stabbed two different transgender women at the park on August 21 and September 1.

Prosecutors said that around 9 p.m. on October 4, two men and a women surrounded a transgender woman in MacArthur Park and stabbed her repeatedly. According to investigators, one of the attackers shouted "we don't want gays here" before the stabbing.

The victim, identified as Daniela Hernandez, was taken to the hospital with stable vital signs.

Soon after the attack, over 100 protesters came together in MacArthur Park to bring awareness to the crime and demand justice. TransLatin@ Coalition was among many groups to call for an end to violence against transgender people after the attack.

"In the wake of the attack on Daniela Hernandez, community mobilized in solidarity to send her love, healing, and to demand justice," the coalition wrote. "Violence against Trans people continues to increase and our people are less and less safe each day."

Trimin-Rodriguez, Valencia, and Fonseca could face life in prison if convicted according to the District Attorney's Office.