The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that a man is being charged with sexual battery and assault for allegedly attacking a woman who was walking with her newborn baby in Brentwood.
During the early evening of July 16, Abraham Shily reportedly approached a woman who was pushing her 1-month-old daughter in a stroller through a residential neighborhood near Gretna Green Way and Mayfield Avenue.
According to the police, she sustained severe injuries in the attack.
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According to the latest reports, Shily, a 26-year-old individual, is facing multiple charges. These include one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon, one misdemeanor count of sexual battery, one misdemeanor count of child abuse under circumstances or conditions other than great bodily injury or death, and one misdemeanor count of false imprisonment.
As she fought back against the shirtless assailant, the attack intensified, causing her further harm.
Carmina Lu recounted the incident a few days after the attack, stating that she had instructed the perpetrator to leave and keep a distance from her. She then proceeded to defend herself, but the situation escalated when he began striking her in the face.
Police reported that multiple hits were delivered to her face after she struck him in self-defense. The force of the attack caused her to fall to the ground, resulting in cuts to her face when her sunglasses broke.
According to the police, after she fell, her attacker fled towards Montana Avenue, leaving Lu injured and traumatized. Lu bravely shared her experience and the impact it had on her when charges were brought against the perpetrator several weeks later.
According to Lu, the incident left an indelible mark on her. She stated that it was an eye-opening experience that left her feeling more vigilant and apprehensive. She also mentioned that she would not be taking any risks anytime soon.
According to a statement from his office, LA County District Attorney George Gascón described the incident as a “heinous assault” that shouldn’t have happened.
According to Gascón, the accusations made against the defendant are extremely unsettling. He asserted that it is unacceptable for anyone to be apprehensive about their well-being while strolling with their child in their own locality.
Following the alleged assault, Lu was heartened to see the West LA community coming together to support her. She shared that residents in the area shared surveillance footage captured from their homes, which was then widely circulated among the community.
Lu mentioned that the entire neighborhood united to help in the situation. They shared numerous video clips, and the news coverage led to someone identifying the suspect.
After receiving a tip, the detectives were successful in locating and apprehending Shily two days later.
Prosecutors have reported that despite being booked on suspicion of felony battery, the individual in question has been able to post bail and is no longer in custody.
The prosecution is urging the court to order a $50,000 bail for him, as per the DA’s office.
If found guilty on all counts, he could receive a prison sentence of up to nine years. The court has scheduled his next appearance for October 1st.
The LAPD is currently investigating the case.
Based in Los Angeles, Marissa Wenzke is a skilled journalist with a bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Santa Barbara. Additionally, she holds a graduate degree from Columbia Journalism School, showcasing her dedication to the field.
