Blue Line attack: Man dies from injuries

ByABC7.com staff KABC logo
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Man dies from injuries in Blue Line attack
A man is dead after being beaten at the Metro Blue Line station. Two women are behind the attack, authorities say.

WILLOWBROOK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Investigators are looking for two women allegedly responsible for beating a man at a Metro Blue Line station in Willowbrook, who later died of his injuries.

On June 13, John Whitmore, 65, was standing on a train platform, when two women began punching and kicking him until he fell to the ground, authorities said. The suspects fled the scene.

Whitmore was transported to a hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries at 2 a.m. Friday.

His brother-in-law Cory Aldridge believes it may have been because of Whitmore's sexual orientation.

"It's because he was gay, that's why he was targeted," Aldridge said.

Whitmore was an artist in his earlier days. He also spent time gardening at his South Los Angeles home.

"They just didn't rob us of our loved one. John was an accomplished artist, so they robbed the world of his talent as well," Aldridge said of the suspects. They were described as two black females.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call crime stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.