Apr 19
Suspect Arrested in Hair Stylist Attack Outside Heart Weho, Lance Bass Makes Statement as Former Investor
Emell Adolphus READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The streets of West Hollywood are a little safer after the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced that a suspect has been caught in the brutal beating of a celebrity hair stylist outside a popular club.
As EDGE previously reported, Alberto Vasquez, 53, was found unconscious by a pedestrian in a parking lot near the popular Heart Weho nightclub in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard. In a statement, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department said that a bouncer employed at the club has been arrested in connection to the incident, with investigating authorities revealing more details about the events leading up to Vasquez's assault, reported KTLA.
According to the Sheriff's Department, on Friday, April 5, an exchange between Vasquez and the bouncer took place around 10:40 p.m. at the club. Vasquez was reportedly refused entry to the club because he did not have proper ID.
"Both the suspect and the victim engaged in a verbal and physical altercation, in which the suspect punched the victim once in the face," according to the release.
Vasquez suffered severe head trauma in result of that hit, with doctors needing to move a part of his skull to relieve swelling.
LASD Capt. William Moulder told KTLA that they did not plan on revealing the "exact details of the incident" as the incident is still under investigation.
"We are letting the media and the public know that there was a physical and verbal altercation that resulted in where we are today," said Moulder, with no details on whether the incident will be treated as a hate crime.
Upon hearing that a Heart Weho employee is being investigated for the attack, *NSYNC superstar Lance Bass made a statement condemning the violent incident as a former investor in the club.
"When I first joined Heart, my mission was clear; to foster a place where people could find safety, have a good time and were able to truly be themselves. It's incredibly distressing to realize that there are individuals who act without restraint or an ethical compass, posing potential threats to others," said Bass.
Vasquez's family members, who set up a GoFundMe page to help with his medical bills as he remains hospitalized, said they pleased his story has been made public.
Gloria Jimenez, the victim's sister, told KTLA that she's at least happy the story has made its way to the public.
"We're thrilled that the correct news is out there now, that he actually was assaulted by a security officer," Gloria Jimenez, Vasquez's sister, told KTLA. "We still have a lot of questions."
The identify of the Heart Weho security guard has not been made public. According to Capt. Moulder, they were arrested on a charge of battery causing great bodily injury.
