TL/DR –
Los Angeles police are hunting for a killer suspected of shooting three homeless people in separate incidents. The victims were killed in the early morning hours over a few days in November, leading to an urgent call for homeless people to seek shelter and avoid sleeping alone. The Los Angeles Police Department has gathered forensic evidence suggesting the incidents are connected, and the police have set up a task force to apprehend the suspect.
Los Angeles Police Hunt for Killer Targeting Homeless
The LAPD has initiated a manhunt for a suspect believed to have fatally shot three homeless individuals in separate incidents around the city. The murders, occurring in the early hours over a few days in November, have prompted city officials to urge homeless people to seek shelter and avoid sleeping alone.
Mayor Karen Bass described the situation as a killer “preying on the unhoused.” The murders have sparked fear in Los Angeles’ homeless community, which is estimated to include over 46,000 individuals. The city faces ongoing struggles in providing housing for the homeless, with the population increasing by 10% this past year.
The initial victim was shot early Sunday morning near 110th Street and Vermont Avenue in South L.A., with the two following victims killed on Monday and Wednesday. All three victims were alone and in the open at the time of the shootings.
A task force of investigators is working round the clock to apprehend the killer. The suspect is described as a male seen in a dark-colored sedan. Authorities have collected some forensic, video, and physical evidence linking the same individual to all three crimes.
To enhance protective measures, the LAPD plans to increase patrols in areas frequented by homeless people. Despite the shock these shootings have caused among local residents, city officials are urging homeless individuals to stick together and seek available services.
Those living on the street have been informed about the crimes and authorities are offering several safety tips, including having a working, charged cellphone and recording any suspicious activity.
A statement from the chief executive of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority expressed horror at the “senseless acts of violence” and urged homeless individuals to seek shelter or stay in groups. The organization has activated its augmented winter shelter program, providing motel beds for those who sleep alone.
Mel Tillekeratne, executive director of the Shower of Hope, lamented the recurrence of serial violence against the homeless, recalling a 2018 incident in which a Houston resident violently attacked homeless men in L.A.
Anyone with information on the suspect is urged to contact the LAPD’s Homicide Special Section at (213) 486-6890. Information can also be provided during non-business hours and weekends by calling (877) 527-3247.
In a separate incident, a shooting at a Las Vegas homeless encampment resulted in one death and several injuries, with no current links to the L.A. killings.
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