With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
3 Homeless People Were Beaten With A Bat In DTLA Over The Weekend
A flier circulated by Los Angeles Police seeks information about a man suspected of beaten three homeless people with a baseball bat over the weekend. (Photo courtesy of LAPD)
()
Police are asking for help identifying a man suspected in attacks on three homeless people with a baseball bat in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend.
At about 4:30 a.m. Sunday, a man approached several people who appeared to be sleeping, beat them with a baseball bat, rummaged through their pockets and took some of their belongings, according to police.
Officers got a call reporting the attacks about 2 1/2 hours later. Two victims were then discovered near the 700 block of Wilshire Boulevard. A search of the area turned up another victim near 5th Street between Flower and Figueroa, according to police.
All three victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition and had not regained consciousness as of Monday. Police said the man suspected in the attacks appeared to be transient.
Support for LAist comes from
"The way he was scavenging through the dumpsters or trash cans that were along the way, and it wasn't just in one location, it was repeated locations. And then his appearance also appears to be consistent with a homeless individual," LAPD Captain William Hayes said at a news conference Monday afternoon.
The man sought by authorities can be seen in surveillance video posted to YouTube by LAPD. You can see that video below:
Anyone with information has been asked to call Det. Dave Holmes or Det. Daryn Dupree at 213-486-6890 or, if it's after hours, to call 213-484-6700.
Lita Martinez and Brian Frank contributed to this report.
News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week. -
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency.
Best of LAist