Homeless targeted in Oceanside deadly attacks

OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Two men are dead and another is severely injured following three violent attacks on homeless individuals in North County over the past two-and-a-half weeks, authorities said. Investigators have not determined if the attacks, which took place in Oceanside, are connected or motivated by hate crimes.

Chief Kedrick Sadler of the Oceanside Police Department urged caution, especially within the homeless community.

“We ask that you stay alert, be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts, and if something doesn’t feel right, call the Oceanside Police Department,” Sadler said.

The first attack occurred on Sept. 18 around 4:17 a.m. near the San Luis Rey Riverbed, close to North Pacific Street and South Harbor Drive. Officers responded to the stabbing of a man who survived after suffering several wounds and was transported to a hospital.

On Oct. 5, officers were called to a set of railroad tracks near Oceanside Boulevard and North Coast Highway around 4:45 p.m., where they discovered the body of a man who had been beaten to death.

The following day, on Oct. 6, at around 11:30 a.m., officers located another deceased man in the brush near the San Luis Rey Riverbed, west of the Interstate 5 freeway. The man had also been beaten.

Though the circumstances of the deaths remain unclear, Sadler said police are increasing patrols and advising homeless individuals not to travel alone.

City leaders are also stepping in to ensure police have the resources needed to protect the community.

“It’s a priority. We are making sure that our police department has all the resources it needs, and they know this is a priority,” Deputy Mayor Ryan Keim said.

Officials say the recent attacks are unrelated to a series of baseball bat assaults in Oceanside in August.

Anyone with information about the attacks is urged to contact the Oceanside Police Department.

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