Police confirm fourth attack on homeless man connected to string of attacks
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — 3:30 p.m. — Mayor Kevin Faulconer, the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego Homicide unit held a press conference Wednesday on new leads they have in the attacks on San Diego’s homeless.
So far, two homeless people are dead and two are still hospitalized.
The man found early Wednesday morning is 23-years-old. His name has not yet been released and he’s listed in grave condition, according to SDPD.
The man found early Monday morning in the 3700 block of Greenwood Street has been identified as 61-year-old Manuel Mason. He is currently in critical condition, but is expected to survive.
The second man found Monday was bleeding from stab wounds to his upper body in the 3700 block of Greenwood Street, near Valley View Casino Center in the Midway district. He has been identified as 41-year-old Shawn Longley and is in critical condition, according to SDPD.
"These crimes are being committed against some of our cities most vulnerable people … and I want to thank Chief Shelley Zimmerman and the San Diego Police Department who have been working nonstop to find this murderer," Mayor Kevin Faulconer said.
They strongly believe the man in the surveillance photos is the person responsible for these attacks.
Related Link: Two homeless killed, one attacked near Mission Bay Park in the past 25 hou
The body of 53-year-old Angelo De Nardo of San Diego, was found in flames in an open area off the 2700 block of Morena Boulevard shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, according to police.
6:30 a.m. — A homeless man is fighting for his life Wednesday morning after being set on fire Downtown by a man suspected of a series of attacks across San Diego on the homeless community, police said.
A witness told police they saw what they believed was clothing caught on fire near State St. and Broadway Wednesday morning and a man running away from the scene.
Police are confident it is the same man connected to three other homeless attacks earlier this week.
"There is no doubt in my mind that this attack is connected to the attack on July 3 and the two attacks on July 4," San Diego police Capt. David Nisleit said.
A homeless man was killed and set on fire Sunday in Bay Park and two others suffered life-threatening injuries in separate attacks Monday. The suspect is the same in all four attacks. Surveillance video released by San Diego Crime Stoppers shows a man believed to be the perpetrator in a convenience store near where the first victim was found.
The body of 53-year-old Angelo De Nardo of San Diego, was found in flames in an open area off the 2700 block of Morena Boulevard shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday, according to police.
An autopsy determined that De Nardo had been killed prior to being set ablaze, Lt. Manny Del Toro said. The cause of death was not released.
Shortly before 5 a.m. Monday, a second homeless man was found bleeding from stab wounds to his upper body in the 3700 block of Greenwood Street, near Valley View Casino Center in the Midway district. He was hospitalized in critical condition.
Related Link: Two homeless killed, one attacked near Mission Bay Park in the past 25 hours
Less than 90 minutes later, another transient was found dead in the 2500 block of Bacon Street, in a coastal neighborhood about three miles from the scene of the second attack. His name has not been released.
Police are asking for the assistance of the homeless community but also the San Diego community at large in finding what the serial attacker. Anyone with information about the case was asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or contact the agency online at sdcrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
