3 suspects sought for vicious store owner attack in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying three suspects accused of assaulting a store owner.

The attack happened while the victim was working at his store located in the 5400 block of South Hooper Avenue around 7 p.m. Monday.

Surveillance video shows the suspects: two teenage males and a teenage girl in the 55th Street Market. The suspects tried to buy alcohol, but the owner, Young Lee, believed they were under 21 and asked for ID.

Lee's daughter explained what happened next.

"My dad approached them outside and he said, 'Put it on the counter and let me see your ID,'" Beetna Lee said. "They started getting mad saying, 'No, you go behind the counter, and we'll show you the ID then,' and my dad said, 'No, leave.'"

They came back to the store half an hour later, and this time the suspects were seen yelling and shoving Lee. Then the confrontation moved outside.

One suspect smashed a bottle over his head and threw Lee to the ground. The female suspect appeared to stab Lee.

The victim sustained several kicks to the head before bystanders intervened, and the suspects took off running.

"I think we're just grateful that nothing worse happened," Lee said. "It could have been a lot worse, but he's OK. He's walking, and no surgery, nothing."

The Lee family has been in business for 20 years. They know many people in the neighborhood, but do not recognize the suspects.

Longtime customers say this is the first time he's been attacked.

"He's a really, really, really nice guy. Everybody here loves him much," Susana Magana said. "He don't do with anybody nothing."

Customers and the Lees hope somebody recognizes the suspects and comes forward with information.

"I think the kids need to learn if they get caught, and I hope they get caught, that there are consequences, and hopefully other kids watching this will see that there are consequences to the stupid decisions that you make and when you hurt people," Lee said.

Two of the suspects were described as black males between 15 and 19 years of age. The third suspect was described as a Hispanic female, approximately 18 years old.

Anyone with information about the suspects was asked to contact the LAPD's Newton Division at (323) 846-6562.