Serial killer suspected in deaths of homeless in LA, manhunt underway

Three homeless individuals were shot and killed in the early morning hours of Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Police said that the victims were all shot dead in the same manner. Investigators believe the killer is acting alone.

One person was killed on a couch in an alley, another victim was shot dead while sleeping on a sidewalk, and a third individual was gunned down after they had stopped while pushing a shopping cart, Fox News reports.

Authorities said that in all three cases, a lone suspect approached the victims, opened fire, and left the scene. The victims were not in homeless encampments but rather on the streets by themselves.

The locations and times of the three murders include: 110th St and Vermont on Nov. 26 at 3:10 a.m.; 600 BLK Mateo St on Nov. 27 at 4:45 a.m.; and Ave 18 and Pasadena on Nov. 29 at 2:30 a.m., per the Los Angeles Police Department.

Surveillance images have been released of the suspect and a potential vehicle involved with the murders.

Surveillance image of the suspect

Surveillance image of the vehicle

Los Angeles police chief Michael Moore said during a press brief that there are no known eyewitnesses and described the suspect as a male wearing a hoodie and other simple clothing.

"We don't know what the motive is on this, except we know that the targeting is three individuals, sleeping alone, that were houseless," Moore said, according to Fox News.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged homeless individuals to seek shelter and sent a staunch verbal warning to the suspect: "We will find you, we will catch you, and you will be held accountable."

This comes while Las Vegas police are also on the hunt for a gunman. A suspect allegedly shot five homeless people in northeast Las Vegas on Friday night, with 8 News Now reporting that one man among the five injured wound up dead after the attacks.