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10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 October 2025 November 2025
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LOS ANGELES 1
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
Harlem Man’s Death Homicide; Husband, West Hollywood ManRuled Charged With Killing Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful a Model, Already Facing Charges Dog, Burglary of Former Roommate’s Home Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias Authorities Say 34-Year-Old Fitness Mayor Konstantine Instructor Jacob Anthony Defends Zieben-Hood Actions Amid Died From Multiple Controversy OverStab Wounds Video
The fatal stabbing of a Harlem man By Dolores Quintana whose body was discovered inside his apartment in August has been officially Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is ruled a homicide, the New York City Office facing criticism from conservatives following of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the circulation of a video showing him being Friday. spanked by a drag queen during an event The victim, 34-year-old fitness instructor on the weekend of September 10. Anthony Jacob Zieben-Hood, died from “multiple has responded that some of his critics are blunt and sharp force injuries” to his legs motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the and other of his body, according to incident wasparts harmless. theInmedical examiner’s Thepodcast, office the video, posted by thereport. Wisenuts Prosecutors havealcohol filed multiple felony also cited “acute and lorazepam Mayor Anthony seen beingman spanked by charges againstand ais27-year-old intoxication” chronic alcoholaccused use as aofdrag artist, backed by the Village People’s breaking factors. into his former roommate’s contributing “Macho Hollywood Man.” Anthonyapartment, described thekilling events West as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was the victim’s small dog, and damaging property during the incident. Anmol Bhatia faces one count each of first-degree residential burglary, felony animal cruelty, and vandalism involving more than $400 in damage. Prosecutors have also alleged that the victim, who is at least 65 years old, was particularly
27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges After a Violent Attack
Zieben-Hood was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment on August 1. all in good went onDonald to reveal that a Police said fun. his He husband, Ziebensecretly arecorded videomodel, was made during Hood, 40-year-old discovered the body event and and called subsequently shared with a the authorities. Charging prominent hate group. documents state that one of the stab wounds In deep a postenough on his Instagram account, Anthony was to penetrate the muscle. stated, “Forwas several days, extremist Donald arrested the sameright-wing day and organizations, Fox1 News, have later indicted including on October on charges spread misleading information fear, including burglary, assault,to fuel criminal discrimination, and hate. I will always be contempt, and criminal possession ofa supporter of the LGBTQ+ community aproud weapon, according to the Manhattan and drag performers.” District Attorney’s Office. He has pleaded added, “On a busy Saturday filled with notHe guilty to all charges. Prosecutors variousnotindependent gatherings, I attended have charged him or anyone else in the Santa Clarita Democrats’ private connection with Valley Jacob’s death, though fundraiser for their organization. Notably, investigators continue to treat the case as were no officially endorsed candidates athere homicide. or state and federal political figures present. Officials said Donald allegedly attacked The event was open to young adults ages 15 Jacob during a domestic dispute before his and above. However, there were no attendees death. Authorities have not released further below 18. Additionally, no children were details about what led to the confrontation present.” or While how Jacob sustained his fatal injuries. not specifying the particular hate No one has been withAnthony Jacob group in question, it Bhatia is charged possible that vulnerable and that knew or should Zieben-Hood’s death. was referring to at thetheTwitter now have known this time ofaccount, the crime. known as X, called “Libsaround of TikTok,” The attack occurred 11:30which p.m. on September 4, when Bhatia allegedly forced his way into the apartment. Investigators said video evidence shows him violently slamming the dog to the ground, stomping on it, and then throwing the lifeless animal off a balcony onto a a man near the 1000 block of Havenhurst nearby construction site, where it was Drive. Investigators said one of the minors was assaulted before deputies arrived. The suspect, 42-year-old Elmer Mercado,Hall, waswhere taken into custody Thomson the documentary wasand set booked on suspicion of committing lewd to be screened. acts with astated, child and annoying or molesting Lung “Our standard security a minor. The Los Angeles Countythis District measures remained in place during time, Attorney’s Officecommenced has sincewith filed two and the screening a slight with an incident that occurred on Sept. misdemeanor counts of child sexual delay. To our knowledge, this was a general 19, 2025. Investigators said him. Harrington assault-related charges against threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” allegedly a woman inside a Mercadoapproached remains held on $100,000 laundry and exposed before bail asroom detectives withhimself the LASD leaving area. No furthercontinue confrontation Special the Victims Bureau their was reported. Officials said that, due to the investigation. Authorities believe crimes, there may other nature of the alleged theybebelieve victims who have not not yet come forward. other victims may yet have come Anyone with information about this case forward. is urged to contactare West Hollywood Investigators urging anyoneStation with Detectives 310-855-8850. Tips may also informationatto contact the LASD Special be submitted anonymously through Crime Victims Bureau at 877-710-5273 or by Stoppers calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), email at byspecialvictimsbureau@lasd.org. using the “P3tips Tips” app, or through visiting Anonymous canmobile be submitted lacrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS The investigation remains ongoing. (8477) or visiting lacrimestoppers.org.
reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views. In response to the video, the Libs of TikTok account claimed that children were present at the event. Mayor Anthony disputed this assertion, stating that “actually, there weren’t any children at this private 21+ event. But of course, lying is totally on brand for you.” While the account correctly pointed out that individuals aged 15 and older were permitted to attend, the event’s organizer, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance. Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during a City Council meeting and expressed his concern that the video’s circulation had led to city officials receiving “some of the most vile hate speech that I have ever seen.” Anthony encouraged those with concerns about his actions to communicate with him directly via email at kanthony@burbankca. gov. He stated, “IfAuthorities you want toalso talkaccuse to me later found dead. about what happened over the weekend, Bhatia of vandalizing property insidesend the me an before email. Send me an email. I will talk to home fleeing.
you about it. There is no reason to involve all of the other people who were not at a public event, not at a government-sponsored event. It wasn’t even in the city of Burbank.” In a statement released on Tuesday, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats voiced their support for Mayor Anthony and strongly denounced the sensationalized and inaccurate portrayal of their event for political purposes that promoted fear, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry. The Democrats reaffirmed their commitment October 9. to the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers,on refusing to engage withcould what If convicted all counts, Bhatia they referred to asyears “fake and outrage.” face up to seven eight months in
Sheriff’s Detectives Seek More Victims After Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas West Hollywood Assault Arrest Beverly Hills police arrested Bhatia on September 21 following a two-week search. He was arraigned on Tuesday at the Airport Courthouse and entered a not guilty plea. Bail was set at $175,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for
state prison. The case is being handled by the Animal Cruelty Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.
Investigators Say X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF a 42-Year-Old
A spokespersonPossible for the Toronto police security swept the scene and cleared it within WeHo LASD Additional Man Accused of of Detectives Seek World Premiere informed CTV News Toronto that the threat 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. Following and After Indecent Exposure had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat Victims Arrest Documentary Was security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance had a general nature and did not specifically Assaulting Minors of caution, the Toronto police and the private target any individual or entity. Sheriffs SayAfter a Man Screened on Havenhurst Drive Was After 20-Minute Delay MayArrested Have Targeted BACK OR UNFILES
Allegedly Exposing Himself to a Woman
Additional Victims By Dolores Quintana
Authorities forX:theLong public’s The premiereare of asking “Lil Nas Live Detectives with the Los Angeles County help in identifying additional victims after Montero” at the Toronto International Film Sheriff’s Department Hollywood a man (TIFF) was arrested inWest connection with Festival faced a momentary setback on Station are asking the in the alleged assault a public’s minor West Saturday night due tofor aof bomb threat. inhelp identifying following Hollywood earlier thisvictims week, according Judy Lung,additional TIFF’s Vice President of Public the arrest ofCommunications, aAngeles man accused of indecent to the Los County Sheriff’s Affairs and confirmed to exposure. Department. CTV News Toronto via a written statement Harrington taken Deputies responded to was reports on Oct.into 21 thatJackie the festival was alerted to an investigation “in the2025, red carpet” at Roy custody on Sept.of28, infollowed connection that the twovicinity juveniles were being by
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