One of two men who nearly killed a transgender shopkeeper near MacArthur Park is behind bars and facing life in prison.
According to the Los Angeles County D.A.’s Office, 23-year-old Paul Thompson was charged with 11 felonies, including premeditated attempted murder, hate crime, robbery, and assault.
Thompson has pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $2.5 million.
Sabrina de la Peña, 61, has operated the convenience store across from MacArthur Park for 30 years. Last spring, two men viciously attacked her in her store on six different occasions because she is transgender and stole $30,000 from her.
The last time they sent me to the hospital because they hurt me very bad,” she told KNX News’ Emily Valdez, adding that they even hit her with a skateboard and pepper-sprayed her.
De la Peña also said the men once threw acid on her and even tried to shoot her but the gun didn't fire.
“When they told me they arrested [the guy], I was very, very, very happy,” she said.
The other suspect is still out there. De la Peña says the landlord will not renew her lease because of the attacks.
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