The Los Angeles City Council has renewed a $50,000 reward for a suspect who allegedly punched a disabled man riding a mobility scooter in Hollywood on Sept. 21, 2014, causing him to fall and strike his head on the pavement.

Police released a photo of a suspect (left) wanted in the murder. (photo courtesy of LAPD)

The victim, Louie Rodriguez, 54, of Monterey Park, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he remained in a coma until he died on Oct. 6, 2014. Police hope the reward will generate leads about the suspect, who was described by witnesses as wearing distinctive “ear extenders,” or gauges. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, initiated the reward shortly after the incident and called for its renewal.

“It is surprising that no one has come forward with information involving the death of Louie Rodriguez, a U.S. military veteran, especially when the assault occurred with several bystanders in close proximity,” O’Farrell said. “This type of brutality should never be tolerated anywhere in the city of Los Angeles, and we are pleading with anyone with knowledge of this heinous crime to step forward so we can have justice in this case.”

Det. John Skaggs, with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide Unit, said investigators have few leads to follow. He said rewards can be helpful in generating leads, and he hopes someone will come forward.

Rodriguez, a Navy veteran, had attended the Sunset Strip Music Festival in West Hollywood on Sept. 21, 2014 and went to Hollywood prior to heading home. The unknown suspect allegedly confronted Rodriguez at approximately 12:40 a.m. as he rode his scooter on the sidewalk near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. It is unclear what led to the confrontation, but witnesses told police that the suspect punched Rodriguez in the face, causing him to fall. Witnesses called police, but the suspect fled before officers arrived.

According to O’Farrell’s communications director Tony Arranaga, police have obtained footage of the suspect and another man boarding a Metro Red Line subway train shortly after the incident and riding to the North Hollywood station. They exited the train in North Hollywood and immediately boarded a southbound Red Line Train and returned to the Hollywood and Highland station. When the suspects saw police activity near the intersection, they allegedly got back on a southbound subway train and continued to an unknown destination. Skaggs said he could not confirm the information. The suspect is described as a Hispanic or African American man in his early 20s, six feet tall with a lean build. Anyone with information is asked to call  (213)382-9470.