Enraged husband's revenge for rape

Anthony Starita is charged with attempted murder

A man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly tracking down and shooting the person he thought raped his wife.

Anthony Starita, who could now face a longer prison sentence than the suspected attacker, used a police computer-generated image to find his wife's rapist.

He is alleged to have taken the image to a bar in Hermosa Beach, California, where his 21-year-old wife had been drinking with friends before she was raped in a nearby alleyway on New Year's Eve.

Even if Mr Starita did find the man who attacked his wife, he does not have the right to shoot him

Los Angeles Police

Police said Mr Starita, 32, spent over two hours comparing faces with the picture after telling them that he hoped the man would return there.

When he saw Ali Sina Sharareh he assumed he was the rapist.

He followed him to the lavatory where he shot him after shouting: "This is for my wife."

Sharareh, 22, who has a previous rape conviction, was hospitalised after the shooting.

He has not been arrested and will be questioned when his condition improves.

Resembled attacker

Los Angeles police officer Paul Wolcott said there were similarities between the composite sketch and Sharareh.

"The composite was pretty specific and there were some physical characteristics that were right on. I think that's what he based it on."

He added that a police sketch is only a rough guide and could resemble more than one person.

"Anybody who resembled the face on that drawing who walked into that bar on that night could have been shot and killed. Even if he did shoot the man who raped his wife, he is not a hero."

Mr Starita is being held in police custody and faces 15 years to life for attempted murder plus extra time for carrying a handgun.

Sharareh could face the prospect of 16 years for the conviction of a second rape offence.

'No right to shoot'

A police spokesman said the police sympathised with Mr Starita but could not condone his actions.

"Emotions run high when there is a rape and it is easy to see why a husband would want to attack the person who hurt his wife.

"But we cannot and will not condone the public taking the law into their own hands.

"Even if Mr Starita did find the man who attacked his wife, he does not have the right to shoot him."