Authorities in San Diego on Tuesday sought to question a man in connection with the murders of two homeless men and the stabbing of a third over the Fourth of July weekend, which has sparked fears in the homeless community.
(FOX)- Police released convenience store surveillance video of the man – identified as a person of interest – wearing a baseball cap, jacket and a backpack. They describe him as 30 to 50 years old.
“When you look at all three cases, looking at the scene, talking to people, this person is definitely someone we want to talk to,” said San Diego police Capt. Dave Nisleit, who declined to comment on possible motives for the attacks.
According to police, one of the victims suffered extensive trauma to his upper torso and died before his body was set on fire. He was identified as Angelo De Nardo, 53, who had family in Pennsylvania. His badly burned body was found Sunday morning between Interstate 5 and some train tracks.
On Monday, police responded to a 911 call of a second man who suffered life-threatening injuries to his upper torso. Nisleit said Tuesday that doctors expected him to survive.
A few hours later, police discovered the second dead body, that of a man who bled from the upper torso.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that these cases are being conducted by the same person,” Nisleit said.
Some homeless men told The San Diego Union-Tribune that the recent attacks have put them on edge.
Since the attacks, police have been patrolling the transient areas and telling people about the attacks despite concerns that police wouldn’t lift a finger to find the person who had been committing the murders.
Authorities have urged residents to contact them at 619-531-2293 with information about the attacks.