Killing Spree Continues In San Diego, Fourth Victim In Critical Condition (VIDEO)

San Diego is dealing with a potential serial killer. The latest attack on a sleeping homeless man marks the fourth one in just four days. The attacks have left two men dead and two men in critical condition.

On Sunday, July 3, 53-year-old Angelo De Nardo was found set ablaze near I-5 and some train tracks. He was set on fire after being beaten to death.

On Monday, July 4, 41-year-old Shawn Longley was found on Robb Athletic Field with trauma to his upper torso. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Monday, July 4, 61-year-old Manuel Mason was found with serious injuries to his upper torso near the Midway District. He was transported to the hospital where he remains in critical condition.

Now, on Wednesday, July 6, a 23-year-old man who has not yet been identified suffered injuries to his upper torso. A passerby found him with a flaming towel over his head. The passerby removed the towel and called for help. The latest victim is not expected to survive.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said:

“The last few days have been particularly harrowing and emotional for those who struggle with homelessness. These crimes are being committed against some of our city’s most vulnerable people. These crimes are reprehensible.”

San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said:

“These evil acts of violence are some of the worst I’ve seen in my 34 years in law enforcement.”

Police are still searching for a man who purchased a gas can from a nearby convenience store just 15-minutes before Angelo De Nardo was set on fire.

Image courtesy of San Diego Police Department.
Image courtesy of San Diego Police Department.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

“San Diego Police Department Capt. Dave Nisleit stopped short of calling the assailant a serial killer, but described the attacks as a series.”

Outreach workers and police are canvassing areas where homeless people congregate. The homeless are being warned to sleep in groups, and stay in well lit areas.

While the community is united in both heartbreak and outrage, it’s important not to forget that the homeless in San Diego have repeatedly been the target of hate, discrimination, and violence.

While it’s not socially acceptable to stigmatize the homeless, some San Diegans have continued to do so publicly by using the term “troll”, “transient”, or “traveler” in lieu of homeless. Those that perpetuate hate and discrimination under this guise state that the difference between the two groups is that “trolls” or “transients” have made a choice to be homeless.

This assertion is unfounded.

Overall, the people making these assertions are not qualified to diagnose mental illness, substance dependence, or any other factors that may contribute to homelessness. In passing, they are not able to identify if a panhandler is “lazy,” an honored veteran fallen on hard times, or anything in between.

It is unethical to group a subculture together and blame the entire group for the actions of a few.

This is exactly what a vigilante group that calls itself Neighborhood Crime Watch Ocean Beach has done. While the groups intentions are to keep Ocean Beach safe, the vigilante group has distributed flyers that perpetuate stigma about the homeless to local cafes.

The flyer reads:

“…we ask that you help us with the ever growing problem of “travelers”, the alcoholics and drug addicts that live on our streets by choice and subsequently wreak havoc on our much loved community.”

The flyer goes on to detail the perceived criminality of the homeless. No research is sited and crimes where the homeless are victims are ignored.

serial killer
Image property of writer.

In addition, the San Diego Reader published an article perpetuating negative stereotypes against the homeless. It mentioned a few incidents of harassment and assault that occurred two to six months ago.

It ignored that two days prior to publication a possible serial killer had murdered two homeless men and left one in critical condition.

It ignored the history of violence perpetuated against homeless San Diegans.

Councilmember Lorie Zapf said:

“There are also serious negative impacts on tourism due to the lawless behavior of the aggressive transients.”

Assaults and harassment are disturbing behaviors. Those are never acceptable, but neither is scapegoating and vilifying an entire group of people.

The homeless are not a problem. Homelessness is an issue.

Perhaps the many good San Diegans that believe in rights for all community members will join me in telling Zapf that tourism dollars should not be her current priority.

Featured image via YouTube screengrab.