An Asian lady in her 60s was killed in a sledgehammer assault on Christmas Eve morning whereas strolling her canine on a university campus in Los Angeles County, California, police stated.
The lady was gathering recyclables on the El Camino Faculty campus close to Torrance when she was abruptly attacked by a person with sledgehammer round 7:00 a.m., KTLA reported. The person fled the scene earlier than regulation enforcement arrived.
“A passerby had noticed the fallen lady subsequent to the gymnasium constructing. Arriving officers discovered the girl unconscious and bleeding from her head,” in accordance with the report. “Her canine had remained by her facet. Paramedics transferred the girl to an area hospital the place she died on Christmas Day from her accidents.”
Campus police recognized the suspect as 40-year-old Jeffery Davis after reviewing surveillance footage. Police stated they’ve seen Davis across the neighborhood earlier than and imagine him to be homeless.
“The individual that we had an concept of who was on the safety footage is, we imagine, a homeless individual we’ve had contact with earlier than,” stated Sgt. Francisco Esqueda of El Camino Faculty Police. “So we have been capable of go to the neighboring county park the place he typically hangs out and that’s the place we discovered him.”
One of many lady’s neighbors informed the native information outlet she realized of the assault from the girl’s household after attempting to deliver her a Christmas reward.
“It’s devastating,” stated Leslie Andersen, the sufferer’s neighbor. “It’s gut-wrenching. I’m nonetheless in shock. Our canines grew to become associates so they’d play collectively and we’d speak. Simply the sweetest lady.”
Different residents informed the outlet they’re on edge after the assault.
“It’s scary seeing that lots of people do come round this space the place there are households,” stated an area resident. “You would possibly assume they’re simply homeless folks however you don’t know their psychological or psychological well being so it’s a really scary factor.”
Davis was arrested and is being held with out bail. The motive behind the assault is unclear, in accordance with the report. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division is investigating the case.
The L.A. County Medical Examiner is figuring out the girl’s official explanation for loss of life.
Anybody with details about this incident can name the LASD’s Murder Bureau at 323-890-5500. Nameless ideas might be submitted to “Crime Stoppers” at 800-222-8477 or on-line at lacrimestoppers.org.
