Student beaten in possible hate crime in Los Angeles Valley College parking lot

VALLEY GLEN, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sheriff's deputies are investigating an alleged hate crime after a high school student was assaulted by 10-15 suspects in a Los Angeles Valley College parking lot.

The attack took place at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday as the student, who attends Ulysses S. Grant High School, walked in the Coldwater Extension Parking Lot.

Investigators say the student was physically assaulted by a group of 10-15 suspects described as Armenian.

"What makes this crime a hate crime is that the young man is an African American of descent, and during the assault, the assaultants were yelling racial slurs, prior to and during the assault," Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Harry Van said.

The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Anyone with further information on the attack was asked to contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Department Community College Bureau at (323) 669-7555.