OCEANSIDE — Oceanside police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted in the fatal beating of a homeless man earlier this month.
According to a police news release, the suspect is described as an African American male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen at 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 4 at the Oceanside Transit Center, boarding a northbound Amtrak train.
The man was wearing a light gray hoodie, a gray trucker hat with a white mermaid logo, dark cargo pants, and dark shoes.
The victim, identified as a 65-year-old man, was found dead near the railroad tracks around the 1300 block of S. Myers St. on Oct. 5. Authorities believe the attack occurred the previous day.
This killing marked the first of two fatal attacks on homeless individuals in Oceanside during the first weekend of October. A second victim, a 60-year-old man, was found dead on Oct. 6 in the San Luis Rey Riverbed area, west of Interstate 5. The victim also appeared to have died from blunt force trauma.
An earlier assault on a homeless man occurred on Sept. 18 near Coast Highway 101 and the San Luis Rey River. The 45-year-old victim was repeatedly stabbed but survived. Police have not confirmed if the three incidents are related.
“We are actively pursuing leads, but community support is crucial,” the Oceanside Police Department said in a statement. “Any detail, no matter how small, could make a significant difference in resolving this case.”
The suspect is considered dangerous. Authorities urge the public to avoid approaching him and instead contact Oceanside police at 760-435-4730 or Detective Ryan Malone at [email protected] if they have any information on his whereabouts.
