Los Angeles authorities are actively looking for the suspected serial killer who gunned down three homeless men sleeping in the streets in less than a week.
The first killing occurred at around 3 a.m. Sunday when a 37-year-old man was shot dead while sleeping in a Westmont neighborhood alley, police said.
Nearly 24 hours later, a 62-year-old man was similarly killed behind a building. The third victim, a 52-year-old, was shot and killed at around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.
“The commonalities amongst these homicides are that each of the victims was in an open area, whether it be a sidewalk or an alley. They were alone,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore.
“We believe a single individual approached each one and shot and killed each one as they slept…There are similarities in each of the three cases.”
The suspect is believed to be a male, acting alone. He was wearing hooded clothing and driving a dark-colored sedan in surveillance footage police obtained.
Patrols were increased in the areas and streets where homeless people usually sleep and a 24/7 task force and a tip line were also established to help arrest the suspect.
“Our message to the unhoused community is clear: do not sleep alone tonight. Seek shelter, seek services, stay together, seek support,” said Mayor Karen Bass.
