Transgender Woman Sexually Assaulted, Beaten In Hate Crime Attacks: LAPD

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities on Tuesday are looking for three men who attacked a 61- year-old transgender woman multiple times at her Westlake business in what police are calling a series of hate crimes.

Detectives believe the suspects may have targeted additional victims and have released images of the suspects for the public's help in identifying them.

The first attack occurred April 8, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"A 61-year-old female victim was inside her store when the suspect entered and began to flirt with her. The victim rejected his advances, and he left," the LAPD said in a written statement. "However, the suspect returned a short time later and pushed her to the ground. The suspect sexually assaulted the victim and discovered she was a transgender woman. The suspect pulled away and threatened to kill the victim."

He returned to her convenience store several times after that to threaten and brutally attack her, according to police.

"Subsequently, the same suspect returned to the location multiple times with additional suspects and committed hate crimes against the victim. During one incident, the suspect used a skateboard to strike the victim," according to police. "On another occasion, the suspect pepper-sprayed the victim. In the final incident, the suspect threw an unknown liquid at the victim while another suspect attempted to stun her with a Taser."

The victim told KTLA she screamed for help throughout the repeated attacks, but no one came to her aid, and she no longer feels safe at her business of 30 years.

“I want to ask the community to help me find those guys, help the police catch those guys. If not, they’re going to kill me,” she told KTLA. “Now, I don’t feel safe. I feel unsafe in the alley. I cannot work because I only thinking he going to come back.”

Detectives also believe there may be other unidentified victims, according to police.

Anyone with additional information about the attacks is asked call Rampart Division Robbery detectives at 213-484-3495. Anonymous tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.