Los Angeles County
Two men were charged Tuesday for an assault outside a sushi restaurant earlier this year, state prosecutors stated.
“A hate crime is a crime against all of us,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “My office is committed to doing all we can to make Los Angeles County a place where our diversity is embraced and protected.”
Xavier Pabon, 31, and Samer Jayylusi, 36, were each charged with two felony counts of assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury. The criminal complaint also includes a hate crime allegation, officials stated.
Jayylusi is expected to be arraigned Tuesday. Pabon’s arraignment is scheduled for Thursday.
On May 18, the two defendants were allegedly part of a caravan who were driving in the 300 block of N. La Cienega Boulevard. The defendants are accused of approaching two men outside of a restaurant and attacking them because of their religion.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.