A woman walking her dog on a Los Angeles college campus on Christmas Eve was bludgeoned to death with a sledgehammer — and a homeless man has been nabbed in the attack, police said.
The victim, who was identified only as an Asian woman in her early 60s, was collecting recyclables and walking with her dog at El Camino College in Torrance around 7 a.m. Sunday, when she was attacked by a man brandishing a sledgehammer, reported the station KTLA.
A person walking by the college gym building spotted the victim bleeding from a head wound and called the police. Her dog stayed by her side.
Paramedics who raced to the scene transported the unconscious woman to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries on Christmas Day.
After reviewing surveillance video, campus police, assisted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, identified the suspect as 40-year-old Jeffrey Davis and quickly arrested him in a nearby park where he has been known to spend time.
Davis is believed to be a homeless person who has had contact with the campus police in the past, Sgt. Francisco Esqueda, of El Camino College Police, told KTLA.
Davis was initially booked into the county jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder and ordered held without bail, according to the Daily Breeze.
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As of Thursday, there was no word on whether Davis would face upgraded charges, now that the victim has died.
A possible motive for the deadly attack has not been revealed by the authorities.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner will determine the victim’s official cause of death.
The woman was known to walk her dog and collect recyclables around the college campus for years, neighbors said.
“It’s devastating,” said neighbor Leslie Andersen. “It’s gut-wrenching. I’m still in shock. Our dogs became friends so they would play together and we would talk. Just the sweetest woman.”
El Camino College was closed for winter break at the time of the killing. Classes are scheduled to resume on Jan. 4.
