A man has been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of an elderly Asian woman at El Camino College in Torrance, California, on Christmas Eve.
What happened: The victim, believed to be between 60 and 65, was collecting recyclables in the 16000 block of Crenshaw Boulevard at around 7 a.m. when the suspect attacked her with a sledgehammer. A passerby reportedly found her unconscious next to the gymnasium building with her dog by her side.
The aftermath: Authorities found the victim bleeding from her head. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries the next day, Christmas Day.
About the suspect: The alleged assailant, identified as 40-year-old Jeffery Davis, was arrested at a park near the campus after the incident, according to KABC. He is believed to be transient and is familiar to campus police from previous encounters.
About the victim: The victim, who remains unidentified, is a familiar face in the neighborhood. She is known for her routine walks with her dog.
“It’s devastating,” neighbor Leslie Andersen told KTLA. “It’s gut-wrenching. I’m still in shock. Our dogs became friends so they would play together and we would talk. Just the sweetest woman.”
What’s next: Authorities are still investigating a motive behind the attack. Meanwhile, Davis remains held without bail on a murder charge.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
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