According to deputies, the victim, identified as a 43-year-old black male, was punched and kicked by two suspects while standing on the sidewalk in front of the station around 9:45 p.m. Deputies say the suspects also beat the victim with skateboards.
The beating stopped when a witnessed threatened to call police. That's when, deputies, say the suspect yelled at both the victim and witness a racial slur that "(blacks) were not welcome around here."
One of the unidentified juveniles was arrested on Feb. 26. Investigators said they were able to identify the suspect as the main aggressor with help from statements and descriptions given by both the victim and witness as well as video obtained from the Metro Station.
Deputies then searched the juvenile suspect's home, and found evidence linking him to the crime. The suspect did not identify his accomplice, but allegedly implicated himself in the assault during an interview with sheriff's investigators.
He was booked for assault with a deadly weapon at the Sheriff's Century Regional Detention Facility. He is being held on a no bail hold due to the fact that he is a minor.
The suspect could face additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation, according to L.A. County Sheriff's Department Detective Keith Schumaker.
"The (LA County) District Attorney is looking into the fact that he (the suspect) allegedly used a racial slur while beating the victim, and allegedly used that same slur to attempt to intimidate the witness, is considering filing a Hate Crime enhancement on this case," Schumaker said.
The suspect at large will reportedly face the same charges.
He was described as a Hispanic man, between 15 and 19 years old, about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black striped shirt, black pants and a black jacket.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts or the case was urged to contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Transit Services Bureau Detective Keith Schumaker or Detective Eric Jamie at (323) 563-5000.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact L.A. Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website L.A. Crime Stoppers.
