Hate crime charge filed in Sylmar murder of homeless person wearing women's clothes

LAPD investigating possible hate crime after person wearing women's clothing was shot in Sylmar

A man was charged with a hate crime Thursday in the killing of a homeless person who was wearing a dress in Sylmar.

Eric Antonio Sanchez, 29, was charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder, with a hate crime allegation, according to LA County District Attorney George Gascón.

Sanchez shot 48-year-old Ryan Bush on July 5 near the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Polk Street, targeting Bush based on a presumption of his gender identity and sexual orientation, according to Gascón's office. Bush was homeless, went by the name Cherry, and used the pronoun "she."

While Bush was not the target of the shooting, the Sanchez was charged with a hate crime due to "disparaging and offensive comments" made just beforehand, according to the LAPD.

"Targeting someone because of their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is unconscionable," Gascón said in a statement.

Sanchez also shot at a nearby bystander, who was not hit, prosecutors said.

Bush was reported to be in critical condition immediately after the shooting. She died of a gunshot wound to the head on July 6, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.

The shooting is still under investigation by the LAPD.

Sanchez, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.