Arrest Made in San Diego Homeless Attacks

San Diego, CA — An arrest has been made in a series of violent and deadly attacks on homeless men in San Diego.

In a press briefing at 2:30 p.m. Friday, San Diego police announced the arrest of Jon David Guerrero, 39 — who grew up in Coronado — on suspicion of three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of arson.

Guerrero, who lives in downtown San Diego, was arrested in the 500 block of West Laurel Street after an alleged attack on a homeless man around 4:30 a.m. Friday, San Diego police Capt. David Nisleit said.

"Today, detectives discovered physical evidence at the scene and the suspect's residence that are definitely linked together with the brutal attacks on our homeless community," Nisleit said. "... We have the right person in jail."

Nisleit said two Harbor police were driving Friday morning near 19th and C streets in the East Village when they heard the latest victim's cries for help. They found the victim and immediately notified law enforcement in the area who had been allocated as additional resources in an effort to find the suspect in the attacks. Officers fanned out, and it was one of those additional officers who located and detained Guerrero, who was on a bicycle as witnesses had stated, Nisleit said.

The victim in the most recent attack Friday suffered injuries to his upper torso, police said, just as the four other victims did. Three of the victims died in the violent series that began July 3, and two, including Friday's victim, are in critical condition.

Last week, San Diego police arrested a 36-year-old homeless man from Chula Vista in connection with the attacks. But Monday, he was released from custody when police said evidence was developed that excluded him from the investigation.

It was a different story Friday.

"We have evidence that no doubt links all these cases together, and they were all committed by Mr. Guerrero," Nisleit said.

On Thursday, police had released a composite sketch of an unidentified man believed to be responsible for the series. The sketch was based on a witness who saw a man running from the scene of the first attack, Nisleit said.

It was not clear whether Guerrero resembled the sketch, as police did not provide his photo.

Patch will update this breaking news story.

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