New surveillance video released Friday appears to show the suspect in connection with the stabbing death of a homeless man in Ocean Beach, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said.
Walter Riley was found with multiple stab wounds on a sidewalk on the 1900 block of Bacon Street, near Newport Avenue around 12:30 a.m. Thursday.
Riley was transported to UC San Diego Medical Center and later pronounced dead.
A man believed to be the suspect was captured by the camera at a local business off Newport Avenue, just moments before the attack happened, police said. He was wearing a hoodie that covered his face.
According to homicide investigators Thursday, the suspect had been described as a man wearing a white or gray hooded sweatshirt and baggy blue jeans.
A witness told NBC 7, he saw the suspect running away.
Local
Riley was known as Ras by locals in the area and his death was a blow to their community.
Janet Walsh owns Temptress Fashion--a business near the area where the attack happened.
"He used to sell incense on the street. He was really sweet," Walsh said. "Non-threatening. Completely non-threatening. There was nothing violent about him."
She told NBC 7, the homicide investigation shocked her because their community is so tight-knit.
"I used to shop at People’s Co-Op. I shop there every week. I would see him there. He would offer to help with groceries," she added. "I would just give him a couple bucks from time to time when I had some change. He was just very sweet. There was no reason for this to happen. It’s devastating."
"What we know right now, this does appear to be an unprovoked attack," SDPD Homicide Lt. Mike Holden told NBC 7 Thursday.
Holden said it appeared the victim and the suspect had a conversation before the attack.
"That person who did that shouldn’t be walking the streets. There is no excuse for having taken that man—that poor man’s life," Walsh said. "He was almost—I think he had to be in his 60s. Gentle soul. I mean, how gentle do you have to be for people to leave you alone."
Police as asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (888)580-8477.
