[dropcap size=big]F[/dropcap]or two weeks now an unidentified man has, seemingly at random, been slashing people in the face in Wilmington, South Gate, Lynwood, and around South L.A. Wednesday, LAPD released footage of the assailant.
[UPDATE: The Los Angeles Police Department late Wednesday arrested Lenrey Briones, who they believe to be the bicycle slasher.]
Identified only by his black and green mountain bike that he rides, and a vague description of him being anywhere between an 18 to to 30 year old, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, and weighing about 150 pounds. The assailant has hurt at least six people now by riding up to them and slashing them in the face and neck with an unidentified sharp object.
Stefany Coboz told NBC that as she was walking in Wilmington the assailant slashed her across her neck from behind and rode off on his bicycle laughing without saying a word.
“I just started looking at him, he looked back, I grabbed myself full of blood,” she told NBC. Coboz survived, with a series of stitches across her neck and a gash that doctors said she would have for life. “I’m still here, I’m alive, and I’m going to be see my kid again,” Coboz told NBC, “So I don’t really care about the mark.”
The most recent attack happened near Florence and Avalon in South Los Angeles, where a man was slashed in the face by the assailant. Shortly after, the suspect headed north and slashed a woman, severely injuring her ear and face. Both victims were transported to local hospitals with non life threatening injuries.
The assailant was last seen heading westbound on Slauson Avenue from Main Street in South L.A.
