By Lookout Staff

August 19, 2024 -- A Los Angeles man was charged last week in the unprovoked beating of a Big Blue Bus passenger that sent the victim to the hospital with significant injuries, according to police.

Erik Morgan, 34, was arraigned last Tuesday and faces felony charges of mayhem, assault likely to cause great bodily injury, aggravated battery and violating his probation. He remains in the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The LA County District Attorney filed the charges four days after Santa Monica police arrested Morgan on August 9, said Erika Aklufi, the Police Department spokesperson.

SMPD detectives identified Morgan as the suspect after "utilizing Big Blue Bus surveillance video, TAP card information, and additional neighborhood surveillance camera video," Aklufi said.

The attack took place on the afternoon of July 29 on the 3200 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, according to police.

"Officers located the victim who reported being attacked from behind while seated on the bus," Aklufi said.

The attack was "unprovoked," and the victim did not know her atttacker, she said.

"The victim sustained significant injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment," Aklufi said. "The suspect fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival."

Anyone with information about this incident or suspect should call Detective Orta at (310) 458-2293, Sgt. Chad Goodwin at (310) 458-8931, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.