An Armenian-American photographer who was allegedly hit with a bottle and beaten by two assailants while talking with a group of Jewish men outside a Beverly Grove restaurant in 2021 is entitled to more receive more than $800,000 from each attacker in a default judgment, a judge ruled Monday.
Photographer Mher Hagopian sued Samer Jaylusi and Xavier Pabon, alleging civil rights violations, assault, battery, conspiracy to commit assault, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hagopian’s attorneys previously filed court papers with Alhambra Superior Court Judge Ian C. Fusselman asking for $1 million in punitive damages and nearly $624,000 in compensatory damages from each defendant.
However, on Monday the judge instead ordered each defendant to pay Hagopian $500,000 in punitive damages, another $300,000 for the plaintiff’s emotional distress as well as $25,000 in civil penalties. Both men are jointly liable to pay Hagopian $23,625 in out-of pocket damages.
Both Jaylusi and Pabon had ignored the litigation. Representatives for the pair could not be immediately reached.
A cell phone video was recorded of the May 18, 2021, attack, which took place about 9:45 p.m. outside Sushi Fumi, a Japanese restaurant on North La Cienega Boulevard. A group of cars with Palestinian flags arrived with about two dozen passengers and megaphones, the suit states.
Hagopian was hired to take photos at the upcoming wedding of his Jewish friend, so the two of them and two Jewish friends of the future groom met for dinner outside at Sushi Fumi to discuss the wedding plans, according to the suit filed in March 2022.
Most of the convoy passengers’ identities were obscured by hooded sweaters or other garb that partially or fully covered their faces, the suit states. They yelled out antisemitic remarks, including “dirty Jew,” “Are you Jewish?,” “Are you Israeli?” and “Be ashamed of yourselves,” the suit alleged.
At least one bottle thrown from the convoy hit Hagopian in the head and one other glass object shattered on the sidewalk near dining patrons, according to the suit, which further stated that although other patrons were able to run for cover, Hagopian and his friends did not have the chance to escape.
The plaintiff grabbed a nearby stanchion that had roped off Sushi Fumi’s outdoor dining area and tried to fend off the attackers and protect his friends, at least four men, including Jaylusi and Pabon, overtook Hagopian, slammed him against a vehicle and began beating him with their fists and arms while also spraying him with an aerosol chemical, according to the suit.
At least four men, including Jaylusi and Pabon, overtook Hagopian, slammed him against a vehicle and began beating him with their fists and arms while also spraying him with an aerosol chemical, the suit stated.
Hagopian suffered emotional distress, embarrassment, humiliation and injury to his reputation because of the attack, the suit states. The attack was condemned by many faith leaders as well as then-Mayor Eric Garcetti.