A beloved valet at a popular West Hollywood restaurant was hospitalized after another man repeatedly kicked and punched him over the weekend.
The attack happened Saturday around 10:28 p.m. when a man went on a “violent rampage” on Santa Monica Boulevard, first attacking someone at a bus stop and then two other people near Soho House, according to AJ Sacher, director of operations at Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood.
The man then entered the Barney's parking lot and “seriously” beat Efrain Zarazua, the Barney's valet, Sacher said.
“He basically tried to kill him,” he added.
Zarazua, known as “Frank,” suffered injuries to his head, neck and body and was in the ICU of a local hospital Monday night, Sacher said. The man had repeatedly punched and kicked him for no apparent reason, he said.
Zarazua has worked at Barney's for at least 30 years and has been a fixture at the restaurant,” Sacher said.
“He’s the sweetest, nicest guy in the world,” she added. “He’s the last person who deserves this kind of violent attack.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed in a news release that a suspect approached the victim “unprovoked” and punched him in the face, causing him to hit his head on the ground and fall unconscious.
The suspect then kicked the victim about 10 times in the head and torso before fleeing east on Santa Monica Boulevard, the statement said.
“The suspect remains unidentified and detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying him,” the statement said. “The LASD West Hollywood Detective Bureau will be handling the investigation.”
Zarazua's family has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her medical expenses and other bills.
“His regular customers and employees have loved him for years,” the page said. “We need your help to cover medical expenses and some bills to cover the time he will be away from work while he recovers.”
