A 21-year-old Los Angeles man was in custody Friday on suspicion of being one of four men who allegedly beat a transgender woman last month in Hollywood.
Nicol Shakhnazaryan was arrested in Van Nuys on Thursday night as LAPD detectives served a search warrant on the residence. Shakhnazaryan has been booked on suspicion of felony battery and is currently in custody. His bail has been set at $1.05 million.
His arrest was made three days after the Los Angeles city leaders announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the violent beating of a woman, who has been identified in published reports as Vivian Diego, 22.
Diego told a local news station she worked as a barista at Beso, a restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard owned by actress Eva Longoria. Diego was assaulted after leaving work at 2:15 a.m. on May 31. Police said her injuries to her face and ribs were severe, and she remained hospitalized for seven days.
An investigation is ongoing.
Police said the FBI is assisting in locating the three other suspects. The incident also is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
LAPD Hollywood area detectives are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the suspects involved. A special email account at hollywoodcrimetips@gmail.com has also been established for anyone who may have information about the assault.
susan.abram@dailynews.com
@sabramLA on Twitter ___
(c)2013 the Daily News (Los Angeles)
Visit the Daily News (Los Angeles) at www.dailynews.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services