Hate crime investigation: Murder suspect charged in shooting of homeless man in Sylmar
SYLMAR, Calif. (KABC) -- A 29-year-old man accused of gunning down a homeless man outside a Sylmar convenience store, in what authorities described as a hate-motivated killing, on Wednesday was charged with murder.
Eric Antonio Sanchez was charged with murder and attempted murder, with the charges including a hate-crime allegation, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Authorities said earlier the victim in the shooting, 48-year-old Ryan Bush, was wearing women's clothing while talking to another person in the parking lot of the store near Polk Street and Foothill Boulevard around 1:20 a.m. July 5.
"The victim was wearing a dress and nail polish," said LAPD Assistant Chief Alfred Labrada during a news conference Wednesday. "There was also derogatory statements made by the suspect in this case, which led the investigators, as well as the DA's office, to pursue those hate crime charges."
Sanchez allegedly then fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene, officials said.
Bush "was allegedly targeted based on a presumption of his gender identity and sexual orientation," according to the District Attorney's Office.
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"We are angered by this murder as each and every one of you should be as well," said LAPD Commander Ruby Flores. "This crime was motivated by pure hatred."
Sanchez has remained behind bars since his arrest Monday by the Los Angeles Police Department's Valley Bureau, jail records show.
He is set to be arraigned Aug. 3 in a San Fernando courtroom.
"Hate crimes have spiked across the country in recent years and we remain steadfast in ensuring that we hold these violent individuals accountable while working to prevent such violence from happening in the future," District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. "Targeting someone because of their race, religion, gender or sexual orientation is unconscionable."
