Homeless man charged in Hollywood attack on tourist

A homeless man was charged Friday with slashing and wounding a Russian tourist and swinging a knife at his family outside a popular Hollywood shopping center earlier this week, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors charged Donald Offerman, 54, with one count of attempted murder and four counts of assault with a deadly weapon in connection with Wednesday’s attack, the district attorney’s office said.

The victim and his family were walking up a flight of stairs at Hollywood and Highland, the shopping and entertainment complex, when Offerman allegedly approached the group from behind and slashed the victim with the knife, prosecutors said.

“Offerman then rushed toward the victim’s family and allegedly swung the knife at them multiple times,” the district attorney’s office said in a statement. “A struggle ensued between Offerman and the victim, who was cut again by the knife, as the man’s family ran away.”

Two New York police detectives who were standing nearby saw the attack and detained Offerman at gunpoint, police and prosecutors said. The detectives, the LAPD said, were visiting L.A. on “official business” for their police department.

The victim was taken to a hospital for treatment.

NEWSLETTER: Get essential California headlines delivered daily >>

An attorney representing the family, who were visiting L.A. from Moscow, said her clients were grateful for the police response and Offerman’s arrest. But, attorney Inna Demin said, the attack “should have been avoided.”

“This brazen attack demonstrates Hollywood must be made safer through a community response,” Demin said in her statement. “City officials and business owners should work together to prevent future incidents, and ensure the public is safe when visiting the heart of Los Angeles.”

Offerman was scheduled to be arraigned Friday. If convicted, prosecutors said, he could face up to life in state prison.

Follow @katemather and @MattHjourno for more crime news.

ALSO

Massive El Niño gains strength, likely to drench key California drought zone

Sugar industry and high-fructose corn syrup makers settle their epic court battle

Largest L.A. County employee union votes to approve contract including 10% raise