Police Wednesday released surveillance video of a fatal stabbing attack on a 58-year-old homeless man in downtown Los Angeles and announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the suspect’s arrest and conviction.
Fernando Perez died at a hospital two days after the attack, which occurred about 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 6 in the area of Ninth Street and Grand Avenue.
The video footage released at an afternoon news conference at Los Angeles Police Department headquarters shows the suspect approach the victim, who is seated on a bench, and repeatedly stab him before appearing to take a backpack and fleeing the scene.
The suspect was also recorded at another location along with a female companion.
Capt. Marc Reina, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Central Station, described the suspect as a 25- to 35-year-old white man who’s about 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a thin build and brown hair. He was wearing a gray hoodie with “Thrasher” written across the front, jogger-type pants and black shoes with white soles.
“Several images depicted the suspect throughout the evening also wearing a white T-shirt with an unknown type of logo on the front and a purple or light blue hat with a white logo,” Reina said. “He was also carrying a backpack with what appears to be a luggage tag attached.”
The suspect was accompanied by a young woman or teenage girl before and after the attack. Reina described her as white, short in height, with a small to medium build, and brown hair with a light brown ponytail. She wore a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants with white stripes, a dark-colored hat and white shoes and was carrying a black backpack.
Reiner said the two were seen in the area as much as a half-hour prior to the attack.
LAPD Detective Jason Sharman said robbery was the potential motive.
According to Reina, it was unclear who was the rightful owner of the backpack that was taken by the suspect, who may have left the scene in a lime green Chevrolet Spark with Florida license plates.
Anyone with information about the stabbing was urged to contact homicide detectives at (213) 996-1869. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling (800) 222-TIPS or at lacrimestoppers.org.