Police Say Murder of a Santa Monica Woman was Random

A Sunday morning murder in a residential courtyard across from Santa Monica College was a "random attack," police are saying. A 61-year-old woman was sitting in the courtyard of The Manor, which is a semi-indepdent living facility for the mentally impaired, when a confrontation with the suspect occurred, leading to the alleged stabbing. Rigoberto Ruiz, a resident of an affiliated residential facility one block away, was arrested for the crime and will be charged with first degree murder. Police told the Santa Monica Daily Press that he has "an extensive criminal history including crimes of violence" and that the victim, a long-time resident, "never caused any problems" and "wasn't known to be involved in any type of confrontations."

There was no indication that the two had any prior relationship before Sunday's incident.