Homeless Man Found Dead In Santa Monica Was Well-Known Locally

SANTA MONICA, CA — A homeless man was found dead near 15th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard Tuesday morning, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

SMPD didn’t provide the identity of the man, but members of the community said he was well-known locally as Scooter, whose real name was Kenny.

According to Armando Orozco, who works at 15th Street Liquor down the street from where the body was found, he saw Kenny just before the store closed at 11 p.m. Monday night.

Reid Karen, who said she’s known Kenny for years as he grew up in Santa Monica, said she she was getting coffee when she saw Kenny on the ground passed out. Karen said she noticed blood on him.

“His face was all bloody, so I just ran back to my car to call 911,” Karen said. “His face was down, but I think I saw a little blood on his tennis shoe.”

According to Karen, Kenny was a nice guy and often gave what little money he had to others to help them out. He frequented 15th Street Liquor and hung out in the area on most days, Orozco said.

SMPD had 15th Street closed between Santa Monica Boulevard and Broadway until about 3:30 p.m. while detectives conducted their investigation. According to authorities, the circumstances of the death are still under investigation.