LOS ANGELES: Three homeless men were charged on Thursday over the stabbing death of a 27-year-old woman who took their picture at a crowded Hollywood tourist spot but refused to pay them.
Christine Calderon was attacked in front of dozens of passers-by Tuesday near the Hollywood and Highland junction at the heart of Tinseltown, yards from the famous Chinese and Dolby theaters, where the Oscars are held.
She used her smartphone to take a picture of the men, one of whom was holding a cardboard sign with an expletive phrase and smiley face, followed by "Have a Nice Day!"
When she declined their request for a dollar, one of them allegedly attacked her with a knife.
The area is full of out-of-work actors dressed up as superheroes or film stars, who charge tourists a few dollars to have pictures taken with them.
Calderon was rushed to nearby Cedars-Sinai hospital, but died a few hours later, said Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) spokesman Christopher No.
The killing occurred outside an American Eagle store on a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard constantly packed with thousands of tourists peering at the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars on the sidewalk.
The victim's mother, Yolande Tassin, told KCAL9 television news: "She was attacked in front of everybody People were just scattering every place. They couldn't believe what was happening."
Dustin James Kinnear, 26, was charged with murder, while Jason Joel Wolstone, 33, was charged with assault and Brian Joseph Widdows, 34, was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact.
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