Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Homicide Detectives held a press conference on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, to ask for the public’s assistance to identify and locate the suspect responsible for the murder of a transient.
On November 7, 2022, at approximately 2:06 p.m., LASD deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon within the Los Angeles City College (LACC) parking structure located at 640 North Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles, CA. Upon arrival, deputies observed the victim lying on the ground, suffering from apparent stab wounds to the upper torso. Los Angeles City Fire Department arrived on scene and began medical treatment on the victim. Unfortunately, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 2:20 p.m.
The victim was identified as Delbert Ray Collett, a 64-year-old transient of Los Angeles. Investigators believe that on the day of the incident, Mr. Collet was in the stairwell of the parking structure when he was assaulted by the suspect. The suspect is described as a male, Black, approximately 25-30 years old, and was last seen walking southbound on Heliotrope Drive, and out of view.
The victim was a veteran of the United States Army and had attended classes at LACC in 2014. Detectives are seeking to identify and/or locate the suspect as well as attempting to locate the victim’s next of kin. Mr. Collett had previous addresses in Alaska, Oklahoma and Montana.
If someone knows something about this crime, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Prepared by:
Sheriff’s Information Bureau
211 West Temple Street,
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1850
Website LASD HQ: http://www.lasd.org
"If You See Something, Say Something"
L.A. Crime Stoppers: Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
