Man Held in Alleged Attack on Transvestites

A Santa Ana man who allegedly fired several shots at two transvestite prostitutes in West Hollywood early Sunday was being held without bail on suspicion of attempted murder and civil rights charges, authorities said.

“I’m going to kill you queens,” Ruben Velasquez, 29, allegedly yelled at the transvestites, ages 19 and 32, just before firing three or four times at them, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Irma Becerra.

Deputy Phil Geisler of the sheriff’s canine unit was patrolling nearby, heard the shots, saw a muzzle flash and spotted Velasquez running to a station wagon, Becerra said.

Geisler pursued Velasquez and pulled over his car, found a .25-caliber semi-automatic pistol inside, and took him into custody, Becerra said.

Velazquez was booked on suspicion of attempted murder and interfering with a person’s civil rights. Anti-gay statements Velasquez allegedly made to arresting deputies led to his being booked on the civil rights charge. He is being held at the sheriff’s West Hollywood station.

The attack took place about 3:40 a.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard at Poinsettia Place. Velazquez approached the men--one of whom was wearing an orange dress, a denim jacket and high heels--and allegedly uttered the threatening epithet, Becerra said.

The men, both Los Angeles residents, ran west along Santa Monica and either “fell or dove for cover” as the shots rang out, Becerra said. Their only injuries were cuts on their knees.

Of the past six gay-bashing incidents investigated by the Sheriff’s West Hollywood station, deputies have made arrests in four cases, authorities said.

Sgt. Tony Hollins said both victims of Sunday’s attack are known gay hustlers. “They are actual male prostitutes, dressed in female attire,” he said.

However, he said, neither has been arrested by the West Hollywood station’s Special Problems Unit, which makes arrests for prostitution in the city.