Suspect In San Diego Homeless Attacks Likely Uses Public Transportation: Police

San Diego, CA — A search continued Thursday for a man suspected of carrying out a series of violent and deadly attacks on members of San Diego's homeless population.

Since Sunday, two transients have been killed and two others hospitalized — one of whom is in grave condition and is not expected to survive, according to San Diego police.

In addition to following up on leads, San Diego police are patrolling trolley and bus stations in their effort to locate the suspect, Capt. David Nisleit told reporters Thursday during a mid-morning news briefing. He said the "very violent," unidentified suspect may be using public transportation to get around because no vehicles have reportedly been seen near any of the crimes scenes, he said.

Police obtained surveillance footage of the suspect from a convenience store near one of the scenes. In the video footage, the dark-haired suspect, who appears to be in his 20s or 30s, is carrying a backpack and wearing dark gloves, light-colored pants, a brown long-sleeve shirt or jacket over a dark undershirt and a green short-billed Greek fisherman-style cap. However, Nisleit said he may have changed his clothing or appearance.

All four attacks have involved extensive injuries to the victims' upper bodies. Two victims were also set on fire.

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Angelo De Nardo, 53, was discovered dead just after 8 a.m. Sunday in the area of 2700 Morena Boulevard —near Interstate 5 and the train tracks — when emergency personnel responded to a report of a fire. Upon putting out the blaze, they discovered the deceased man who was later identified as De Nardo, a homeless man who has family in Pennsylvania.

Witnesses told police they saw a man running near the area with a gas can just prior to the fire. Other witnesses were able to describe what a person seen running from the scene was wearing.

Less than 24 hours later, at 4:51 a.m. Monday — the Fourth of July — a 911 caller reported a man was lying on the ground bleeding in the 3700 block of Greenwood Street, off Sports Arena Boulevard near Valley View Casino Center. The victim, identified by police Wednesday as Manuel Nunez Mason, a 61-year-old transient, remains hospitalized for treatment of life-threatening injuries to his upper torso.

Ninety minutes later, at 6:10 a.m. Monday, a San Diego police officer was flagged down in the 2500 block of Bacon Street in Ocean Beach about a man down and bleeding from his upper torso. Police arrived to find the victim, identified as 41-year-old Shawn Mitchell Longley, deceased.

In Wednesday's incident, police responded to an apartment complex in the 700 block of Kettner Boulevard after receiving reports of a violent disturbance. They found a young man suffering from wounds to his upper body who had also been set on fire.

The 23-year-old victim in Wednesday's attack — whose name has not been disclosed — remains hospitalized in "grave condition" and is not expected to survive.

Police say it appeared as if three of the four victims were asleep when they were attacked.

"These evil acts of violence are some of the worst that I have seen in my 34 years in law enforcement," San Diego police Chief Shelley Zimmerman said. "This killer has targeted some of our city's most vulnerable citizens while they are asleep."

The attacks prompted city officials to issue a warning to local homeless people to remain vigilant, avoid sleeping alone on the streets and stay in open, well-lit areas.

Late Thursday morning, Father Joe's Villages, a major local homeless-services provider, announced that it was seeking funding to provide additional beds at its downtown St. Vincent de Paul Village shelter as a means of helping protect those who have nowhere else to stay.

Zimmerman said apprehension of the suspect is currently her department's highest priority. The chief said additional resources have been dedicated to the investigation.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer called the attacks on the homeless "absolutely reprehensible."

"SDPD is bringing all of its resources to bear to find the person responsible and seek justice for the victims," Faulconer said.

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

People who use public transportation are asked to keep a lookout for the suspect. Anyone who spots him was urged to immediately call 911. Anyone with additional information about the suspect or any of the assaults was asked call police at 619-531-2293.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580- 8477 or by contacting the agency via email at Sdcrimestoppers.org.

— City News Service contributed to this report.