A guard at Heart WeHo faces two counts in the April 5 incident. (photo by Edwin Folven)

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has charged a 22-year-old security guard who worked at the Heart WeHo nightclub with two misdemeanor counts for allegedly punching and seriously injuring a man on April 5.

The District Attorney’s Office identified the defendant as Khyren Ross, who is charged with one misdemeanor count of battery causing serious bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury. Arraignment for Ross is scheduled on May 29 in Dept. 73 of the Airport Courthouse.

Investigators said Ross worked for the WGS Group security company, which contracts with Heart WeHo, located at 8911 Santa Monica Blvd. Ross is accused of punching 53-year-old Albert Vasquez around 10:40 p.m. on April 5.

Vasquez tried to enter the nightclub and was turned away because he did not have proper identification, investigators said. An altercation allegedly occurred between Vasquez and Ross, who authorities said punched the victim once in the face. Vasquez fell to the ground, struck his head on a curb or the street and remained unconscious. He was taken to a hospital by paramedics. Sheriff’s deputies also arrived at the scene but the victim had already been transported to a hospital. Once authorities located Vasquez and determined he had been assaulted, they opened an investigation.

“This was unfortunate because of the type of injuries,” said Detective Lizeth Lombera, with the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. “He ended up hitting his head on the concrete.”

Detectives used security camera footage to determine what happened. Ross was arrested on April 17 and released on $50,000 bail pending formal charges being filed.

Investigators submitted the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in mid-April and assault and battery charges were filed last week. Lombera said it sometimes takes weeks for misdemeanor cases to be filed and a delay is not uncommon. Requests for comment from Heart WeHo and WGS Group were not returned.

Vasquez was hospitalized for more than a month and is facing a long road to recovery, his sister Gloria Jimenez said. He is currently staying with Jimenez in the Lake Elsinore area, where the victim’s family lives. Vasquez is a hairdresser who resided for years in West Hollywood and Hollywood, she added.

“He still needs 24-hour care. He’s on strong meds and he still has to wear a helmet. He is waiting to have another surgery in July,” Jimenez said. “The doctor said he is going to need care for a long time, probably the rest of his life.”

Jimenez added that the family is consulting with an attorney and is considering filing a lawsuit. She said the family wants justice for Vasquez.

“My brother was left for dead. It’s terrible,” Jimenez said. “I hope they make this guy an example of people who abuse authority.”

Albert Vasquez, who sustained serious head injuries during the April 5 incident, is currently staying with family and faces a long road to recovery. (photo courtesy of Gloria Jimenez)