Ax-Wielder Charged With Attempted Murder

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – A man was charged Thursday with attempted murder and aggravated mayhem after attacking a victim with an ax outside of a West Hollywood 7-Eleven store. Kisu Brown, who will turn 42 on Friday, was ordered to remain jailed with his bail set at $1.1 million.

He was arrested late Tuesday in connection with the attack that took place about 4 a.m. Saturday just outside the convenience store in the 7900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, near Fairfax Avenue. The victim had just offered to pay for some items Brown allegedly tried to steal, authorities said.

"The suspect became upset, refused the victim's offer and a struggle ensued," said sheriff's Sgt. Jeffrey Bishop. "As the victim left the location, the suspect pulled out an ax and began to hit the victim in the head several times."

Surveillance video shows a man, identified by authorities as Brown, leaving the store, followed by the victim.

The two were barely through the door when the suspect suddenly wheels around and strikes the victim in the head with what looks like an ax. The victim goes down and the suspect strikes him again several times with the weapon while another man unsuccessfully tries to intervene.

The victim -- who was taken to a hospital -- suffered "some serious injuries to his head and skull," the sheriff's sergeant said.

The criminal complaint alleges that Brown personally inflicted great bodily injury and that he has a string of criminal convictions dating back to 1999.

Brown has remained behind bars since his arrest, according to jail records.

He is due back in a Los Angeles courtroom Oct. 3, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial on the two felony counts.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, West Hollywood Division