Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau detectives are continuing their investigation into the death of an 82 year-old male Hispanic, that occurred inside Antelope Vally Hospital in Lancaster. The initial assault occurred on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at approximately 9:45 a.m.
Detectives have learned that the victim was at Antelope Valley Hospital receiving treatment for Covid-19. He was housed in a two-person room inside the hospital with the suspect, who was also there receiving treatment. The suspect became upset when the victim started to pray. He then struck the victim with an oxygen tank.
The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on December 18, 2020 at approximately 10:20 a.m. The victim and suspect did not know each other.
The suspect, 37 year-old Jesse Martinez, was arrested and charged with murder, a hate crime enhancement and elder abuse. His bail is set at $1,000,000. He is set to appear in Antelope Valley Court December 28, 2020.
The investigation is on-going and there is no other information available at this time.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org
Forwarded by:
Deputy Trina Schrader
Sheriff's Information Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
211 West Temple Street
Los Angeles California 90012
http://www.lasd.org
213-229-1700
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
