This week, a security guard working for Heart WeHo — a popular LGBTQ+ nightclub in West Hollywood, California cofounded by Lance Bass — was arrested after brutally beating a customer. According to a report in the WeHo Times, the customer in question was a celebrity hairstylist named Albert Vasquez.
The official report from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department indicated that this incident took place on Friday, April 5 at 10:40 p.m. local time. "The suspect, who was working as a security guard, did not allow the victim entry due to the victim not having proper identification," the report reads. "Both the suspect and the victim engaged in a verbal and physical altercation, in which the suspect punched the victim once in the face. The victim fell to the ground and was transported to a nearby hospital."
Heart WeHo cofounder Lance Bass — who recently stepped away from his association to the venue — issued the following statement on Instagram:
"Wow! This news really weighs on me. I found out about this incident recently, having stepped away from Heart months ago. It's truly disheartening. Violence, in any shape or form, is just unacceptable, and my thoughts go out to Albert, his friends/family, and anyone who had to witness this disturbing altercation."
The *NSYNC singer continued:
"When I first joined Heart, my mission was clear: to foster a place where people could find safety, have a good time, and were able to truly be themselves. It's incredibly distressing to realize that there are individuals who act without restraint or an ethical compass, posing potential threats to others. It's a stark reminder for us all to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of everyone in our communities. We really need to have each other's backs. My heart hurts for everyone involved."
Instagram (@weho_times/@lancebass)
The official Instagram account for Heart WeHo has also issued a statement that read:
"Heart WeHo remains deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our community. We are aware of the incident that occurred on April 5 and have been actively collaborating with the West Hollywood Sheriff's Department to assist in their investigation since the beginning. We have provided the authorities with unrestricted access to our security camera footage. We urge anyone with additional information pertaining to this incident to come forward and assist the West Hollywood sheriff's department in their efforts to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhood."
The family of the victim, Albert Vasquez, has set up a GoFundMe page. The description reads:
"While we await further details about his recovery timetable from medical staff, we are beginning to raise money that will be used to cover medical and living expenses as he will be unable to work for the foreseeable future."
