A man whom police believe was homeless was killed last weekend, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
On Sunday, Dec.31, at approximately 6:15am, officers responded to the 900 block of Elm Street regarding a call of “a person down.” When officers arrived, they located in the alley a male subject who had sustained a head injury. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics determined the subject, who appeared to be homeless, deceased at the scene.
The preliminary investigation determined he may have been stricken by a blunt object.
After a follow-up investigation, homicide detectives, with the assistance of patrol officers, made two arrests in the case, and charges were filed.
Later on the evening of Dec. 31, at approximately 7pm, 87-year-old Ernest Weston and 58-year-old James Pettie, both of Long Beach, were arrested in the 400 block of East 5th Street for the murder of 45-year-old Todd Dunlap of Long Beach. The victim and suspects knew each other and had become involved in a dispute prior to the murder, according to the LBPD.
On Jan. 3, homicide detectives presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and the following charges were filed:
• Ernest Weston— charged for 1 count of murder and 1 count of possession of a dangerous weapon; currently on $2-million bail
• James Pettie— charged for 1 count of accessory to murder; currently on $2-million bail
Both defendants are being held at the LA County Jail.
Source: LBPD
