Unprovoked Attack Caught On Video In Koreatown

LOS ANGELES, CA — Authorities released footage Wednesday of a man sucker-punching another man at a Koreatown bus stop in what police called an unprovoked attack. Los Angeles Police Department investigators hope someone will recognize the assailant.

The attack occurred Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at a bus stop at Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, according to the LAPD. The suspect can be seen on the video sitting on a bus stop bench, with the victim standing a short distance away with his back to his attacker. The suspect approaches the victim and abruptly knocks him out with a single punch.

"It was unprovoked," Los Angeles Police Department Officer Drake Madison told City News Service.

The victim, who was identified only as "Leo" at his request, told Fox11 he was minding his own business and playing a game on his phone when he was approached by the unidentified assailant and punched in the face.

"He was sitting on the bench, and I was standing up enjoying my game," Leo told Fox11. ``I guess he just didn't like what I was doing. I had no music on, it was quiet, I was minding my own business, and he just came up and struck me violently."

The victim fell back and hit his head on the ground. That's when a bystander intervened, drawing the attacker away from the prone victim, seemingly challenging the attacker. The assailant then picked his unconscious victim up off the ground and handed his limp body over to the bystander.

Leo, a U.S. Navy veteran, told Fox11 he suffered a contusion on the back of his head from hitting the ground and a cut on his nose. He was treated at a hospital and released, Madison said.

The suspect was described as a man approximately 30-35 years-old. He stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds, according to the LAPD. He was wearing a light-colored T-shirt over blue pants. He was seen carrying a black backpack and a duffel bag.

He remains at large, Madison said.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call detectives at 213-382-9450 or 877-LAPD-247.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.