Victim Of Hate Crime Beating Speaks Out About Attack
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The transgender woman who was brutally beaten by four men in Hollywood spoke out about the attack Tuesday in hopes of helping police find her attackers.
Police released pictures and video Tuesday of the four men shown brutally beating 22-year-old Vivian Diego, a transgender woman born Victor Diego, near the Hollywood and Ivar Metro stop May 31.
After leaving her job as a barista at Beso restaurant, Diego told CBS2's Rachel Kim that said she and a friend went to his apartment before going out.
When they came outside, she said she saw the suspects down the street.
"Right when they see me, they started being malicious, verbally," she said. Minutes later, the men came up from behind and began attacking her.
"I was being kicked on and punched on," she said. "And then, I wake up in the hospital."
The video shows the men approaching Diego from behind. Another angle depicts the men kicking her as she lay on the ground.
"One of the members of the group ran after Vivian and struck her from behind, knocking her to the ground," said Lt. Marc Reina. "The remaining members of the group then joined in brutally assaulting Vivian by repeatedly kicking her, even while she lay motionless on the sidewalk."
"It was awful," Diego said. "I wouldn't wish the pain I went through on my worst enemy."
The victim suffered a broken jaw, a shattered cheekbone and two cracked ribs. Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime.
City leaders announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
"She deserves justice," said the victim's sister, Melissa Diego. "Nobody deserves to get left for dead."
The family hopes the photos and video, as well as the reward, will encourage a break in the case.
Despite her mouth being wired shut, Diego said she is speaking out so that people know she is proud of the person she sees in the mirror.
"I am not letting this incident, this attack stop me from living my life," said Diego. "As you can see, I'm still fabulous."
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call detectives at the LAPD Hollywood division.
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