11.28.2011

seattle hairdresser fatally beaten in possible hate crime

In Seattle, homicide detectives are investigating the fatal beating of a Danny Vega, a 58-year-old hairdresser who was attacked two weeks ago while on an evening walk. Over the weekend, he died of his injuries: Hairdresser Danny Vega's fatal beating a mystery.

Vega, a prominent member of Seattle's Filipino American community, was attacked on November 15 in a parking lot near his home. Three assailants apparently jumped him, screamed at him, punched and kicked him before taking his cellphone and keys. Those close to Vega, who was gay, believe the attack was a hate crime:
Saarenas and others close to Vega, a gay man, believe the killing was a hate crime. The three assailants, Vega told Saarenas, jumped him, screamed at him, punched and kicked him before taking his cellphone and keys.

"It's horrible," said police spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb. "It appears to be a robbery. Property was stolen and the victim, Danny Vega, was viciously beaten. We're certainly open to the possibility [he was attacked because he's gay], but the motive remains unknown to us."

Police hope someone will come forward with information to lead them to the assailants.

The attack on Vega, 58, initially was investigated as a robbery but was quickly assigned to homicide detectives because of the severity of Vega's injuries, Whitcomb said. Vega suffered injuries to his brain, kidneys and liver and was placed on life support after falling into a coma.
Anyone with information on the attack on Danny Vega is asked to call the Seattle Police Department's tip line at 206-233-5000. Callers can remain anonymous. More here: Danny Vega, Seattle hairdresser beaten into coma, dies.

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