Man charged in connection with brutal beating of valet, 6 other attacks within 10 minutes
The man accused of viciously beating a valet attendant at a popular West Hollywood restaurant has been formally charged in connection with the attack as well as six others, all committed within ten minutes of each other. On Sept. 14 around 10:20 p.m., Efrain “Frankie” Zarazua was bludgeoned by a man in the parking lot [...]
The man accused of viciously beating a valet attendant at a popular West Hollywood restaurant has been formally charged in connection with the attack as well as six others, all committed within ten minutes of each other.
On Sept. 14 around 10:20 p.m., Efrain “Frankie” Zarazua was bludgeoned by a man in the parking lot of the Barney’s Beanery on Santa Monica Boulevard.
The attack left him in critical condition, and he was hospitalized in the intensive care unit after being kicked multiple times in the head and on the upper body.
Barney’s Beanery took to Instagram days after the shocking incident to identify the beloved valet as the victim, stating that he has worked at Barney’s for more than three decades.
“Frankie has been a part of Barney’s team for over 30 years,” the post read. “He is kind, funny and welcoming to everyone he encounters.”
Authorities quickly launched an investigation and learned that the suspect, a transient named Dorian Michael Gray, was involved in the attack and allegedly involved in an unknown number violent incidents that same evening.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated three days after the brutal beating that Gray, 28, was linked to four more assaults in addition to the Barney’s Beanery incident, and in a release issued Monday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, he was implicated in a further two assaults, meaning he is now connected to seven different violent attacks.
All seven occurred “within a 10-minute period” on Santa Monica Boulevard, the DA’s office said.
Authorities announced the arrest of Gray on Oct. 22; he has been charged with a slew violent offenses, including attempted murder for the attack on Zarazua:
- Attempted murder - willful, deliberate and premeditated (one count)
- Assault with a deadly weapon (one felony count)
- Aggravated mayhem (two felony counts)
- Battery (two misdemeanor counts)
- Assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury (one felony count)
- Battery with serious bodily injury (two felony counts)
"It is further alleged that in the commission of the crimes, Gray personally inflicted great bodily injury, great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm and other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness," L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón's office added. "It is also alleged that Gray was armed with and used a weapon during the commission of the crime."
At his arraignment two days after his arrest, Gray pleaded not guilty. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 13.
Gray's bail has been set at $3.255 million. If convicted as charged, he faces life in state prison.
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