Los Angeles Police Hunt for Serial Killer Targeting Homeless Men

Officials in Los Angeles are searching for a serial killer who is believed to have shot and killed three homeless men while they were sleeping. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) held an emergency press conference on Friday, appealing to the public for help in capturing the perpetrator. LAPD Chief Michel Moore revealed that the three murders occurred within a span of four days.

The first victim was shot in the Westmont neighborhood at around 3:10 am on November 26 while he slept on a couch in a rear alley. The second victim was killed the next day at approximately 4:55 am in downtown Los Angeles as he leaned against a wall, waiting for his phone to charge. The third killing took place on Wednesday at around 2:30 am in Lincoln Heights, where the victim was sleeping on a sidewalk. The victims have been identified as Jose Bolanos, aged 37, Mark Diggs, aged 62, and a 52-year-old Hispanic man whose name has not been released yet.

Chief Moore stated that there are similarities in the way these crimes were carried out, suggesting a connection between them. All the murders occurred before 5 am, and the victims were found sleeping on sidewalks or in alleyways when they were fatally shot. The chief warned that the killer seems to be targeting victims who are alone, rather than homeless encampments.

The LAPD also released screenshots from surveillance footage, showing the alleged serial killer and their vehicle. In the images, the suspect can be seen wearing a light-colored hoodie and dark pants. Chief Moore declined to provide the exact model of the car shown in the footage. He mentioned that additional video footage leading up to the third homicide will not be released at this time.

As a response to these killings, temporary winter shelters have been set up for the homeless, and patrols have been increased in areas where the homeless tend to sleep. Mayor Karen Bass urged the public to spread awareness about the investigation and encouraged the homeless population to seek shelter and stay together.

The LAPD has dedicated homicide detectives and a forensic team to the investigation, with Chief Moore maintaining communication with law enforcement departments in Glendale, Pasadena, and Long Beach. Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that the killer has struck outside of Los Angeles. Anyone with information about the killings is urged to contact the Homicide Special Section at (213) 486-6890.