Police Search for Three Suspects in Hate Crime Against Transgender Woman in LA

Los Angeles police are searching for three men suspected of repeatedly assaulting a 61-year-old transgender woman at her convenience store in the Westlake neighborhood, describing the attacks as hate crimes. The initial assault occurred after one of the suspects flirted with the woman, became violent when rejected, and then discovered her trans identity, escalating to sexual assault and threats to kill her. The same suspect, accompanied by two others, returned on several occasions, attacking the victim with a skateboard, pepper spray, an unknown liquid, and a Taser. Police have released surveillance images of the suspects and believe there may be additional victims, urging anyone with information to come forward. The attacks have left the victim feeling unsafe for the first time in 30 years of business, prompting her to close her store earlier than usual. The LAPD is treating these incidents as part of a broader pattern of violence disproportionately affecting transgender women of color.