North Hollywood Sikh Assault Suspect Faces Attempted Murder Charge

India-West Staff Reporter

LOS ANGELES, CA – The man accused of brutally attacking 70-year-old Harpal Singh in North Hollywood appeared in court on September 2, for his preliminary hearing, where a judge upheld serious charges including attempted murder.

According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, the defendant, identified as Bo Richard Vitagliano, has been charged with attempted murder, assault with force likely to cause great bodily harm, and aggravated battery. Prosecutors argued that evidence presented during the hearing established probable cause.

The District Attorney’s office has not yet filed hate crime charges but said it is prepared to do so if additional evidence emerges. That could include a comprehensive interview with Singh, who remains hospitalized and unable to provide a full account due to his medical condition.

Munmeeth Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, attended the hearing alongside members of Singh’s family. She emphasized that while the case is being taken seriously, it is critical that authorities remain open to hate crime charges. “They must be willing to consider hate crime charges if new evidence comes to light, and it is heartening that they clearly understand the relevance of a full interview with Harpal ji to those potential charges,” Kaur said.

The attack, which occurred in July outside a North Hollywood gurdwara, drew widespread condemnation and concern within the Sikh and South Asian American communities. Singh was beaten and left with critical injuries. His family has described his recovery as uncertain.

Community organizations have rallied in support of Singh and his family. On August 23, the Sikh Coalition, Khalsa Aid USA, Khalsa Care Foundation, United Sikhs, and SALDEF organized a “Day of Seva” in the same parking lot where Singh was attacked, distributing hot meals and hygiene kits to unhoused residents. Dozens of gurdwaras and more than 40 civil rights groups have also signed solidarity letters urging a full investigation into whether bias played a role.

In addition, the South Asian Network will host a community safety workshop on September 7, at the Lankershim Gurdwara to address ongoing concerns about public safety.

The case has become a focal point for Sikh advocacy groups, who argue that attacks on elderly Sikhs often go underreported or under-investigated as hate crimes

The next court date for Vitagliano is expected later this month.