Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has charged Dorian Michael Gray with attempted murder following a physical assault on a valet attendant at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, as reported by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. In September, the assault left the attendant, Efrain Zarazua, seriously injured. Gray is also accused of assaulting six other individuals that evening in a series of random attacks.
On the night of Sept. 14, the valet, Zarazua, was attacked as he worked outside the popular restaurant. According to the DA's Office, Gray faces multiple charges, including attempted murder-willful, premeditated, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony battery, among others. Gray's arraignment took place on October 24, and he has pled not guilty to the charges. If convicted, he could be facing a life sentence in state prison. The DA's announcement also highlighted the cruelty and callousness of the assault.
Meanwhile, Zarazua’s ordeal has deeply affected the community, especially those at Barney's Beanery where he has worked for approximately 30 years. A surveillance video captured a shirtless man striking Zarazua in the face, causing him to fall unconscious, followed by multiple kicks to his upper body as described by ABC7. In the wake of the violent encounter, Zarazua’s family faces significant medical expenses, prompting the creation of a GoFundMe page that has raised over $50,000.
A colleague of Zarazua's, AJ Sacher, expressed dismay over the incident, telling NBC Los Angeles, "horrific, sad and fills you with anger that somebody could do that to somebody else." The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has arrested the suspect, who was also connected to other assaults that same evening, and they are expected to provide further details at a news conference. The community awaits updates as the case progresses, still grappling with the senseless nature of the violence that shook it.
