Los Angeles

Teen Arrested in October Slaying of Transgender Woman: Police

Aniya Parker was killed in East Hollywood in what police have called a robbery gone bad.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the October slaying of a transgender woman in East Hollywood, California, police announced Monday.

Two additional people were sought in connection with the killing of Aniya Parker, Los Angeles Police Department officials said in a news release.

The teen's name was not released because he is a minor. Police said he was being held at a juvenile detention center when a warrant was served for his arrest.

The teen faces charges as an adult, police said.

No further information was released about the teen or the other people sought.

Parker, 47, was slain in what police described as a “robbery gone bad” Oct. 2, and her fatal shooting was caught on video from a nearby business’ surveillance camera.

After a struggle for her purse, she was shot in the head on Melrose Avenue near the 600 block of North Kenmore Avenue around 2:30 a.m.

Parker was taken to L.A. County-USC Medical Center, where she died in surgery.

Officials offered a $50,000 reward in the case.

Police have said the attack appeared to be random and not specifically targeting a transgender woman, although some LGBT community members said her killing is still of particular cause for concern.

"It's really, really frightening for all of us especially out here on the streets," Karina Samala said.

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