Police Search for Stabbing Suspect Who Allegedly Yelled Homophobic Slurs at Victims
One man was stabbed in the stomach, the other in his hip, fracturing his pelvis, friends said
Kim Baldonado & Troy McLaurin
Two men were stabbed in Echo Park after a man reportedly yelled anti-gay slurs at them. Police have released surveillance footage of the suspect, walking with two friends, in the hopes of soliciting information from the public. Kim Baldonado reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on May 30, 2012.
Surveillance video captured a man suspected of screaming homophobic slurs before stabbing two men in Echo Park, and police are hoping the footage will solicit information from the public.
The video shows the suspect walking with two people before he turns around to run after the victims. Friends of the victims claim the suspect yelled anti-gay epithets at the men.
The victims are not gay, but are “straight allies, are vocal for gay rights, and wear rainbow patches and buttons on occasion,” according to a friend’s blog post.
One man was stabbed in the stomach, above his belly button, and has been released from the hospital. The other victim was stabbed in his hip, fracturing his pelvis, friends said.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Thursday, May 24, near a bus stop at Echo Park Avenue and Montana Street.
Earlier that night, the victims reportedly visited the Sunset Beer Company on Sunset Boulevard, where the owner said the two men are regular customers.
Police said the victims may have seen their attacker earlier in the evening at one of the several food trucks often parked along Sunset Boulevard, but it was unclear if there had been a confrontation prior to the stabbing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact LAPD.
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