Man Fatally Beaten And Stabbed After Stopping Pit Bull Attack On Hollywood Walk Of Fame; Four Arrested

A brutal, daylight attack on the Hollywood Walk of Fame left 37-year-old Berry Henderson dead after he defended himself from a biting pit bull on May 20, authorities and family members say. Surveillance video and police reports show that after Henderson stabbed the dog in self-defense, a group of men allegedly assaulted him, leaving him with fatal injuries.

What Happened

According to surveillance footage shared by KTLA and statements from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the incident occurred around 3 p.m. near a bus stop at Hollywood Boulevard and Las Palmas Avenue. Video shows a pit bull chasing and biting Henderson at his legs. When Henderson drew a knife and stabbed the dog to protect himself, four men allegedly confronted him.

Berry HendersonCredit: gofundme

LAPD told PEOPLE that three suspects used physical force — including striking the victim with a small bat — while a fourth suspect stabbed Henderson multiple times. Local reports also say one attacker was armed with a machete. At one point, a bloodied Henderson managed to break away and stumble across Las Palmas Avenue, but the assault continued. He later died from his injuries at Cedars-Sinai Hospital after being transported there, family members say.

Arrests And Investigation

Police located and arrested three suspects at the scene; a fourth initially fled but was later taken into custody. An LAPD spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE on May 30 that all four suspects are now in custody. Investigators have not released information about the current status of the dog.

Berry HendersonCredit: gofundme

Family Reaction And Fundraiser

“Berry was like a gentle giant; cool, calm, authentic man who enjoyed music, spending time in the city he loved, and living life in his own peaceful way,” reads a GoFundMe set up by Henderson's family. The fundraiser also says he “passed away alone before our family could be notified.”

Family members described Henderson as a trade-school student known in the neighborhood and called him a “gentle giant.” Relatives expressed shock and pain that bystanders reportedly did not intervene. “He was running away… they still continued to attack him,” Henderson’s cousin Demeya Brewer told KTLA. Another cousin, Sharon Grimes, said witnesses appeared to watch the scene without stepping in or calling for help.

Sources

This account draws on surveillance video and reporting from KTLA, statements from the LAPD, coverage by PEOPLE, and a family GoFundMe linked by relatives.