No Charges Filed Against San Diego Homeless Attacks Suspect

San Diego, CA — A Chula Vista man whom San Diego police had arrested on suspicion of carrying out a series of violent attacks on the city's homeless — leaving three men dead — has been released from jail.

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office announced in a statement Monday afternoon that although Anthony Alexander Padgett, 36, had been scheduled to be arraigned Monday, the San Diego Police Department has not submitted its investigation to the DA for review.

"...No criminal charges have been filed [against Padgett]," Steve Walker of the DA's Office said. "SDPD’s investigation into these homicides is ongoing and Mr. Padgett has been released from custody."

Padgett was arrested Thursday by San Diego police as the suspect in the crimes that began July 3, leaving three men dead and another critically injured. The victims have been attacked in their sleep, according to police, with the suspect setting fire to at least two of the men.

But in a press conference at 3 p.m. Monday, San Diego police Homicide Capt. David Nisleit told reporters that "exculpatory evidence" was developed over the weekend that excluded Padgett from being tied to the attacks.

"I can’t with good confidence move forward with keeping Padgett in custody," Nisleit said. "I don’t have any evidence to keep him behind bars right now... As much as it is our duty to put the right person in jail, it is also our duty to make sure we are presenting the right facts to the DA’s office."

According to Nisleit, investigators and crime lab technicians worked "around the clock" over the weekend on all evidence that had been gathered in the case. That evidence could not be exclusively connected to Padgett, he said, so he and DA Bonnie Dumanis discussed the case Monday morning and came to the conclusion there was not sufficient evidence to charge Padgett with the crimes.

"That doesn't mean things won’t come back full circle tomorrow and we find that Padgett is our main suspect; there is always that sight possibility."

Nisleit said that when Padgett was arrested last Thursday, it was based on probable cause: his strong resemblance to the person depicted in a convenience store surveillance video, coupled with his prior conviction in 2010 for setting someone on fire.

"I could not risk not taking him into custody and leaving him out in the community and God forbid another person was attacked," Nisleit said.

Investigators still believe the person depicted in the video is the person responsible for the crimes, he said.

"We need more information coming forward; the public and the media have been great — we continue getting tips and that is how we are going to solve this case," Nisleit said. "...We will work tirelessly to figure this case out."

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Angelo De Nardo, 53, and Shawn Mitchell Longley, 41, Dionicio Derek Vahiday, 23 — all believed to be transients — have been killed in the attacks.

DeNardo's body was found on fire the morning of July 3 near 2700 Morena Boulevard. Police believe he was killed prior to being set on fire.

Longley's body was found the morning of July 4 at a park in the 2400 block of Bacon Street in Ocean Beach. He died after suffering traumatic injuries to his upper body, police.

On Sunday, it was announced that the third victim, Vahidy — found set on fire and critically injured Wednesday, July 6 downtown near Horton Plaza — had since died from his injuries.

A fourth victim, 61-year-old Manuel Nunez Mason, has thus far survived serious injuries to his upper body — similar injuries suffered by all the victims. He was found badly injured Monday, July 4 in the 3700 block of Greenwood Street in the Midway District.

Nisleit said Monday that Mason remains hospitalized in critical condition and is in no shape to help identify his attacker.

No further attacks have been reported since July 6 that fit the unknown suspect's MO, according to Nisleit, who said additional resources will remain dedicated to the investigation until the right person is in custody. Police will continue to follow up on "each and every" lead received, he said.

DA Dumanis said her department also remains committed to the investigation.

"The DA’s Office has been consulting with SDPD detectives and we will continue to assist SDPD in any way we can during their ongoing investigation into these heinous crimes," Dumanis said. "Our common goal is justice for the victims in this case and the safety of San Diego’s homeless as the investigation continues."

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.

"We need the public’s assistance to provide additional tips and leads to help us solve these crimes," San Diego police Lt. Scott Wahl said. "Anyone who has information is asked to contact our Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477."