Man Dies after Apparent Assault NR11318rf

Los Angeles:  Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Pacific Division homicide detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing any information about a homeless man who may have died from assault complications.  

On Thursday, July 7, 2011, at around 8 p.m., Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics took a 52-year-old man with head injuries to a local hospital after he apparently fell down in the 600 block of Rose Avenue in Venice.  The incident was treated as a medical emergency at the time, and LAPD was not notified.

The next day, someone contacted LAPD claiming to have witnessed an assault on the 52-year-old man.  The witness said the victim was punched and severely injured when he fell to the ground and hit his head.  With the victim in serious condition, homicide detectives initiated an investigation and learned the victim was a transient individual from the Venice area.  

The suspect, also a Venice transient, was subsequently identified as 50-year-old Frank Smith.  He was arrested later that day and eventually charged with murder when the victim died of his injuries on the afternoon of July 10.  For now, the identity of the victim cannot be released until family members have been notified.  

Pacific Division homicide detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed the assault or has information on this case to contact them at 310-482-6372 or 310-482-6373. Between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., calls may be directed to the Pacific Area watch commander at 310-482-6333 or to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.