LAPD looking for suspect in random attack on elderly man in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police are looking for a suspect who is seen on video randomly assaulting an elderly man with a backpack, knocking him to the ground and seriously injuring him.

The attack happened on Oct. 20 around 8 a.m. on North La Brea Avenue near Willoughby Avenue. The video was captured by the 99 Cents Store on La Brea.

In the video, the suspect and victim are seen walking down the sidewalk toward each other. As they approach, the suspect holds his backpack as if to swing it and the elderly man steps aside and keeps walking.

The suspect then follows him a few steps down the sidewalk, and swings the backpack hard, striking the man on the side of the head and neck.

As the victim lays on the ground in pain, the suspect casually walks away.

The elderly victim said he believes he was hit with a bag full of rocks. He did not want to be identified and said he is recovering from a gash on his face.

Police described the suspect as a white or Asian man in his 20s with a mustache and goatee. He is about 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighing 150-170 pounds. He was wearing a dark beanie, gray sweatshirt and dark pants and carrying a dark backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD at (213)922-8231. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at (800)222-TIPS.