One Arrested in Hollywood Boulevard Assault on Transgender Woman

The arrest comes two days after police announced a reward for information in the attack, captured on surveillance video

One of four people sought in connection with an attack on a transgender woman was arrested just two days after police announced a reward for information in the case, which is being investigated as a possible hate crime, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The attack occurred May 31 on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Police on Tuesday announced a $25,000 reward for information in the attack, which was captured by a surveillance camera pointed at the Walk of Fame.

The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nicol Shakhnazaryan, was arrested Thursday night in Van Nuys, according to the LAPD. Police are still seeking three others in connection with the attack, which left the victim hospitalized.

Bond was set at $1 million for Shakhnazaryan, a Los Angeles resident. He was booked on suspicion of felony battery.

The victim, known as “Vivian,” was assaulted while walking on Hollywood Boulevard about 2:15 a.m. on May 31, police said.

The Los Angeles Police Department released security camera footage that shows multiple males chasing a woman in a red dress down a dark Hollywood Boulevard. The group is seen kicking the victim on the ground before running away on the Walk of Fame.

The victim was hospitalized for a week with severe injuries, including two black eyes and cuts on the face.

Police asked anyone with information about the attack to call 213-972-2967 or email hollywoodcrimetips@gmail.com.

Police also are investigating a deadly stabbing on Hollywood Boulevard. A woman was killed in a stabbing attack that occurred after she and a friend took pictures of panhandling men at the busy intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue on Tuesday night, police said.

Three men have been arrested in the stabbing, which occurred near an American Eagle Outfitters store on Hollywood Boulevard, along the Walk of Fame.
 

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