The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying a suspect involved in the attempted murder and battery of multiple individuals, including a beloved valet in West Hollywood. According to the LASD press release, the series of violent incidents occurred on Saturday, September 14th, near the 8400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.
The most severe of these attacks was against Efrain "Frankie" Zarazua, a man described by many as a valet with over three decades of service at Barney's Beanery. In a statement obtained by ABC7, Zarazua's son Chris detailed witnessing the surveillance footage, "When I saw the footage, the way he beat him - it was terrible. Very terrible. He was defenseless, while this monster beat him almost to death." Zarazua sustained a serious head injury and a broken jaw as a result, and he remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Newly released photos show the suspect, a shirtless male Black adult, who is also connected to at least two other battery cases in the area, as yet unidentified. According to the source, the suspect fled eastbound on Santa Monica Boulevard after the altercation. The LASD has disseminated a crime bulletin with photographs in hopes of garnering public help to locate him.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Zarazua with medical and related expenses. The community has shown an outpouring of support, demonstrated through social media and crowdfunding efforts. AJ Sacher, director of operations at Barney's Beanery, described the attack as an "attempted murder" in a harrowing account shared with Hoodline. Chris Zarazua expressed hope that the support shows his father, "how much love he gets from everybody, and how much he is loved."
Anyone with information on the suspect or additional incidents is urged to contact the LASD. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling "Crime Stoppers" at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or by using the LA Crime Stoppers website or mobile app.
