A 33-year-old man is facing the possibility of life in prison for an alleged violent rape attempt of a 63-year-old woman, attacking a toddler and residential burglary late last month, officials announced.
The terrifying Feb. 27 incident unfolded just before 12:30 p.m. in the West Los Angeles neighborhood of Sawtelle.
In a news release, prosecutors with L.A. County District Attorney’s Office said Ishmail Bangura attacked a 3-year-old child inside one apartment before entering the apartment of a 63-year-old woman who he reportedly sexually assaulted.
Bangura, who witnesses said was nude during the violent ordeal, was pulled off the woman by a group of construction workers working on a site in the 2400 block of Barry Avenue near the 10 Freeway who heard the victims screams for help.
“Part of you freezes and thinks, ‘Is this really happening right now?’ And then part of you just knows, ‘We gotta go help her,’” Rick Dreyfus, a general contractor who assisted in the rescue, told KTLA.
He added that when he and his crew reached the 63-year-old woman, Bangura, completely naked, had her pinned on her back and was attempting to rape her.
Responding LAPD officers took the alleged attacker into custody shortly thereafter.
Officials did not a provide a city of residence for the 33-year-old man, but witnesses told KTLA that they believe he came from a nearby homeless encampment.
The 63-year-old woman, who has not been identified was taken to the hospital where she was treated for minor injuries and released. The child was treated at the scene.
Bangura was charged with assault to commit forcible rape during the commission of a burglary that inflicted great bodily injury to the victim and child abuse with enhancements that the alleged attacks involve “great violence” and “a high degree of cruelty.”
“Violence against children and older adults — some of the most vulnerable members of our community — is beyond reprehensible,” District Attorney Hochman said while announcing the charges last week.
Bangura, who pleaded not guilty, is being held on $2 million bail.
If convicted as charged, the 33-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison plus 13 years and would be required to register as a sex offender for life, officials said.
