Attack on Student Probed as Hate Crime
A 17-year-old student at James Monroe High School in North Hills was beaten by three other girls at the school, allegedly because her attackers believed she was a lesbian, authorities said Friday.
The young woman was kicked and punched in a bathroom. While beating her, the attackers made disparaging comments about her sexual orientation, said Sgt. Bruce Heschong of the Los Angeles Police Department. Heschong said police are investigating the May 6 attack as a hate crime.
Joan Elam, the school principal, said she believes the girl’s attackers are students at Monroe.
School officials and school police are continuing to investigate, and will turn over any information to Los Angeles police, she said.
Elam said the young woman has returned to school and appeared to be in good spirits.
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