Police in Los Angeles are hunting for around 11 suspects after a security guard was beaten to death outside a popular Hollywood nightclub.
The shocking attack unfolded at around 2am on Sunday outside the Dragonfly Hollywood nightclub close to Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilcox Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The security guard, a 32-year-old man who has been identified as Daniel Sandifer by The Los Angeles Times, was working at the Hollywood hotspot at the time when he was confronted by the large group of people.
The altercation quickly turned violent with witnesses reporting seeing the group beating and stomping on Sandifer, according to ABC7.
Officers arrived on the scene to find Sandifer lying in the street unresponsive. They performed life-saving measures on him but he was pronounced dead from his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
Now, a manhunt is underway to find up to 11 suspects.
It is not clear whether the group of people knew the victim prior to the violent attack.
It is also unclear if the group had frequented the club that night for Dragonfly’s “Signature Saturday” event.
The Dragonfly describes itself as the “most popular Hip Hop night club scene LA has to offer” with several famous faces including Tyga and Megan Thee Stallion known to have partied there in the past.
It remained closed on Sunday and its “Sunday Night Fever” event was cancelled in the wake of the tragedy.
Security guard beaten to death outside Hollywood nightclub— (ABC7)
Dragonfly posted an Instagram story on Sunday announcing the closure and saying it was mourning the death of its bouncer.
“As we begin to process and mourn the loss of our colleague, Dragonfly will be closed,” the post read.
“Our hearts are with his family at this time.”
The Dragonfly club in Hollywood, Los Angeles, announces its temporary closure after the death of a bouncer— (Dragonfly/Instagram)
The LAPD is asking anyone who witnessed or recorded the incident to come forward with information.
“We know that oftentimes people will record these types of incidents on their cellphone,” Detective Samuel Marullo told ABC7 from the scene.
“We would encourage them to share that with us as it can help bring a sense of justice to this person’s family.”
He added that investigators are canvasing the neighbourhood for security cameras which may have picked up the events surrounding the attack.
“One thing we know was that there was a lot of people present – a lot of people on the street – many of whom left the scene prior to police arriving.”
Law enforcement officials have not publicly identified Sandifer yet but a cousin of the man, Evette Sandifer, identified him to The LA Times. Ms Sandifer said her cousin was a hardworking man who took care of his two daughters and was the primary caretaker of his grandmother who is in hospice.
Ms Sandifer said: “I’m sure the club provided some footage. That’s on them, but everybody has cellphones nowaday. We need to get some suspects and hold them accountable.”
Anyone with information can contact LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide at (213)382-9470.
