Transgender store owner attacked in MacArthur Park
Transgender store owner attacked in MacArthur Park
An investigation is underway after a 61-year-old transgender woman was sexually assaulted and repeatedly targeted in hate crimes by a suspect and accomplices at her store, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
LOS ANGELES - An investigation is underway after a 61-year-old transgender woman was sexually assaulted and repeatedly targeted in hate crimes by a suspect and accomplices at her store, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
What we know:
On April 8, the victim, Sabrina De La Peña, was inside the convenience store she owns at MacArthur Park when a suspect entered, flirted with her, and left after being rejected.
According to police, the suspect returned, assaulted her, and upon discovering she was transgender, threatened to kill her.
"When he come over here the first time he started flirting with me. I said I am not interested in that. I just feel ok to be alone. I want to stay alone and don’t want anyone around me.."
"This shoulder I can’t pull my arm all the way down because it’s hurting me," she said.
Her teeth were knocked out, as the suspects hit her over the head with a skateboard - and it was all caught on camera.
"I know everyone says [this is a] dangerous area but for me no because I’ve been long time here and nobody hurt me everybody knows me. Everybody knows Sabrina," she said.
Photos courtesy LAPD
The suspect later returned multiple times with accomplices, committing further hate crimes, including pepper-spraying her on April 16, and attacking her with a bottle of acid and a Taser on April 19, police said.
The LAPD has released photographs of the suspects and is actively seeking public assistance to identify them.
De La Peña said the suspects threatened her that next time they come back, they are going to kill her.
"He says he’s going to come back with a gun. That’s what he say. No way," she said.
Timeline:
April 8: De La Peña sexually assaulted, threatened to be killed, hit in head with skateboard.
April 16: De La Peña attacked with pepper spray.
April 19: De La Peña attacked with bottle of acid and Taser.
What we don't know:
It's unclear how many suspects were involved in the alleged assaults.
What you can do:
Detectives urge anyone with information about the suspects or who may have been a victim to contact Rampart Division Robbery Detectives at (213) 484-3495.
Anonymous tips can be submitted via L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or through the "P3 Tips" mobile application.
The Source: Information for this story is from a press release published by the Los Angeles Police Department on April 28, 2025.