Suspect sought after 86-year-old grandmother attacked

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(FOX 11) - Police need your help catching the man who violently attacked an 86-year-old grandmother in Koreatown.

WARNING GRAPHIC PHOTO:

The images are shocking. A battered and bruised 86 year-old Mi Reum Song. Police say, the Koreatown grandmother was attacked Saturday afternoon in broad daylight with a single punch to the face.

“She was struck in the forehead and fell backwards and her head struck the pavement, so the back of her head there was a laceration and you can see some of the injuries to the front of her face.” according to LAPD Detective Heebae Cho.

Song’s granddaughter Yujin Ko described the moment she first saw her battered grandmother after the brutal beating.

“Utter shock... A lot of tears ... Her face was really bruised and she looked like a different person.” said Ko.

Police are asking for the public’s help. They’re searching for a man they’re calling a person of interest shown in this security video taken from a nearby business at the time of the attack. You can see Song wearing a visor walking alone, moments later, a man wearing a while shirt and backpack... Runs by.

“The suspect is described as a male Hispanic 5’5” tall weighing 150 pounds. He is approximately 35 years of of age. We have obtained video of a male fleeing the sceneand at this point he is a person of interest only but someone we want to speak to, said LAPD Capt. David Kowalksi.

Police say, the motive is unclear but say the elderly woman may have been targeted. It happened near the busy intersection of Olympic and Vermont not far from the Olympic Division Police Station.

“We take these crimes seriously and it hurts us both personally and professionally... When these type of crimes happen especially near our police station and it really hits home for all of us,”Kowalski said.

“I hope that justice is served, that he gets locked up so he doesn’t do this to anyone else ever again.” said Ko.

Song was treated and released and is home recovering.

Police say, there have been other attacks on senior citizens in Koreatown. They were targeted by robbers.

If you recognize the man in the video or have any you are urged to contact the LAPD. You can also remain anonymous by contacting Crimestoppers at 800-222-tips.