June 28, 2022
KOREATOWN, Los Angeles—A 45-year-old African-American man suspected of striking an Asian man at a Koreatown bus stop in what police called an unprovoked attack was arrested Friday.
Tony Earl King was arrested at around 10 a.m. at a bus stop at Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue after police received a tip from a caller who recognized King from a security video captured of the crime, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The vicious attack happened around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, at the same bus stop where King was arrested, according to ABC7.
The suspect in the video was sitting on a bus bench and the victim was standing about six feet away from him with his back turned when the suspect got up, walked toward the Asian-American man, and sucker-punched him.
The victim, who only wanted to be identified as “Leo” said he was just trying to get some shade when he was approached by King and punched in the face.
“I didn’t think too much of it,” Leo said. “There were several eyewitnesses, but I don’t remember what happened — when it occurred — when the man attacked me, I completely blacked out. It wasn’t until I saw the security footage, that man came up to me quietly and knocked me down to the ground, which caused a big contusion on my head.”
Leo—who is a Navy veteran—said Wednesday that he was still dealing with a sore nose and headaches, reports ABC7.
“I always thought I was aware of my surroundings,” Leo said. “I notice people’s posture, but at that time, it was just so unbelievable. I didn’t think that I would be attacked with a cowardly punch, with no warning or anything.”
King was arrested for felony battery and booked into the LAPD Olympic Community Police Station jail. He is being held on $50,000 bail.
Feature Screenshots via ABC7