Man Beaten in Robbery Attempt Dies

A 53-year-old cigarette vendor, who was beaten during a robbery attempt outside a liquor store, died Thursday night at a local hospital, authorities said.

The victim, whose name was not released pending notification of relatives, had just finished delivering cigarettes to a liquor store in the 1800 block of West Avenue K in Lancaster on Wednesday when he was approached by someone in the parking lot, L.A. County Sheriff’s Sgt. Susan Cross said. The vendor was beaten and his assailant fled.

The vendor was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he lapsed into a coma, Cross said. He died at the hospital Thursday night. Lt. Steven Fredericks said it appeared to be a botched robbery attempt, and that the assailant did not get anything from the man.