Homeless Man Arrested After Death Of Unhoused Assault Victim In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — Police in Long Beach Thursday announced they have arrested a homeless man who allegedly fatally injured another homeless man in March.

Detectives with the Long Beach Police Department's Special Investigations Division arrested Thongsay Ky, 58, around 8:10 a.m. Wednesday near the 1400 block of South Harbor Scenic Drive, where he was found inside his vehicle.

Ky was identified as the suspect who injured the victim, 52-year-old Chamrong Sok, around 7:30 p.m. March 11 in the 1000 block of Pacific Coast Highway.

Long Beach Fire Department personnel took Sok, who had injuries to his upper body, to a hospital.

He was not completely cooperative with investigators, but did say he was assaulted in a parking lot near Anaheim Street, according to the LBPD.

While still hospitalized, Sok died of his injuries on April 30 and on May 22 the medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, police said.

After his arrest, Ky was booked on suspicion of murder and was being held at the city jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

The motive for the killing remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the fatal assault was urged to contact LBPD homicide Detective Michael Hutchinson at 562-570-7244.

City News Service