Suspect Identified and Charged With Attempted Murder
A 27-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a violent, unprovoked assault on a homeless woman in Santa Monica, according to a press release from the Santa Monica Police Department.
The attack occurred on Sept. 22, 2024, around 12:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Alley 5. Officers responding to a report of an assault found the victim, a 25-year-old woman new to the area and experiencing homelessness, with severe injuries. She suffered facial trauma and signs consistent with strangulation, according to authorities.
A witness reported seeing the suspect repeatedly punch and kick the woman as she lay on the ground. Surveillance footage captured the incident and showed the suspect fleeing the scene, but initial efforts to identify him through the video were unsuccessful.
On Nov. 3, detectives received a tip that led to the identification of the suspect, Oscar Benn, a resident of Altadena. Benn was apprehended on Nov. 14 near the VA facility in West Los Angeles. He has since been charged with attempted murder under California Penal Code 664/187(a) PC and is being held in Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody.
Police said Benn has a criminal history, including arrests for aggravated assault and burglary.
Santa Monica police credited the community for assisting in the investigation. “This arrest highlights the critical role of community partnership in ensuring public safety,” the department said in a statement. SMPD wanted to thank the community for its help, “which was instrumental in bringing this suspect into custody.”
The victim’s current condition has not been disclosed.
