Authorities are searching for a suspect who shot and killed three homeless men in Los Angeles. The victims were all sleeping alone when they were attacked. The LAPD is urging homeless individuals to seek shelter and not sleep alone. A task force has been created to investigate the shootings. Makenna Sievertson reported
Officials announced on Friday that three unhoused men were shot and killed in different parts of Los Angeles while they were sleeping alone. Local and federal authorities are now working diligently to track down the person they believe is responsible for these tragic shootings.
The first shooting occurred at around 3:10 a.m. on Sunday in the Westmont neighborhood of South L.A. The victim, a 37-year-old man, was found in a rear alley. The second shooting took place at around 4:45 a.m. on Monday in the Arts District of downtown L.A. The victim, a 62-year-old man, has been identified. Lastly, the third shooting occurred at around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the Lincoln Heights Industrial Zone near Elysian Park. The victim, a 52-year-old man, was sleeping on the sidewalk when he was tragically killed.
According to LAPD Chief Michel Moore, all three victims were alone in open areas such as sidewalks or alleys when they were shot and killed in their sleep. Moore emphasized that the suspect could strike in various parts of Los Angeles, including Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and the west side, and urged caution to the public.
At this point, there are no eyewitnesses to the shootings. However, authorities believe the suspect is a man wearing some type of hoodie or simple clothing. In all three incidents, the suspect arrives in a vehicle, approaches the victims on foot, shoots and kills them, and then flees in the vehicle.
Law enforcement agencies have collected physical evidence and obtained video footage and images from the crime scenes. The LAPD has released photos of the person they believe to be responsible for the shootings, as well as the vehicle seen at each location. Detectives are seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect and the car involved.
In response to these tragic events, authorities are urging unhoused individuals to stay together, seek shelter, and avoid sleeping alone. The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority has activated its Augmented Winter Shelter Program from December 1st to December 4th to provide additional safety for unsheltered people who sleep alone. Emergency shelters, typically used for severe weather, will be open to accommodate more individuals during this time.
Mayor Karen Bass has reached out to the leaders of the Housing Authority of Los Angeles and the L.A. Housing Department to spread awareness about the danger and deploy outreach teams to locate unhoused individuals who are alone. Metro leadership has also been informed to warn unhoused people as they disembark from buses and trains at night.
The LAPD is increasing patrols and has established a 24/7 task force composed of homicide investigators from across the city. The L.A. County District Attorney’s major crimes division is also involved, with an attorney assigned to facilitate the transition from police investigation to prosecution. The Victim Services Division is providing support to the families of the victims, as well as any witnesses or individuals in need of assistance.
The federal government, the Department of Justice, and the FBI are supporting the investigation. Martin Estrada from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that they are exploring the possibility of federal charges, such as civil rights violations.
Anyone with information regarding the shootings is urged to call the LAPD tip line at (213) 486-6890..