Los Angeles Police Seek Assistance in Identifying Suspect Behind Fatal Attacks on Sleeping Homeless Individuals
Los Angeles police seek public assistance in identifying a suspect responsible for the tragic killings of 3 homeless individuals while they slept Urgent collaboration needed to bring justice to the targeted homeless community Help us end this senseless violence
Los Angeles officials are seeking the public's assistance in locating a suspect who is believed to be targeting the homeless community. This comes after three unhoused individuals were fatally shot while asleep earlier this week.
The first incident occurred in an alley at about 3 a.m. on Sunday, followed by a second shooting just before 5 a.m. on Monday. The third victim was killed around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, as reported by Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore on Friday. The victims are two Hispanic men, aged 37 and 52, and a 62-year-old Black man, as confirmed by Moore.
The chief emphasized that our homeless individuals are among the most at risk in our community during a news conference on Friday.
According to Moore, the killings all occurred under similar circumstances, with the victims believed to be sleeping alone when they were attacked. The incidents took place at different locations in the city, including one near Skid Row, an area in downtown Los Angeles with a high homeless population.
The Los Angeles Police Department shared a map of the three locations where three unhoused men were recently killed.
The LAPD reported that all the victims were homeless, alone, and killed in outdoor locations, such as sidewalks or alleys. Chief Moore stated that it appears a single individual approached each victim while they were sleeping, opened fire, and then left the scene.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned against sleeping alone tonight and urged family members to reach out to loved ones living on the streets. She emphasized the importance of seeking shelter, services, staying together, and seeking support. Bass described the news as "devastating" for the city, which has one of the largest unhoused populations in the country, and referred to the perpetrator as a "killer" who is targeting the unhoused.
The mayor emphasized that individuals without homes in Los Angeles are already confronting hazardous situations daily, with four to five unhoused people dying every day from various causes, including violence. He announced that the city has instructed its office of homelessness and housing solutions to send outreach teams throughout the entire city to urge people to seek shelter.
The Los Angeles Police Department has assembled a task force to tackle the case. Homicide investigators from various parts of the city will aid in the probe, and the agency's forensic science division will handle the processing and analysis of evidence to uncover any potential suspects, stated the chief. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón stated that his office is collaborating with authorities to reveal the identity of a possible serial killer targeting the most vulnerable members of our community.
Detectives have already collected physical evidence, such as photos and videos, in an effort to identify a potential male suspect and vehicle linked to the three killings, according to Moore.
"We urge everyone to support individuals experiencing homelessness, especially those who are alone, to find shelter and seek opportunities to get off the streets," Moore added.
Police are advising unhoused individuals in the city to avoid isolated areas, particularly at night, and to ensure they have a functional cell phone. They are also urging them to record and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. "We are uncertain about the motive behind these incidents, but we are aware that three individuals who were sleeping alone were targeted," Moore stated.
