‘Serial killer’ fears take hold after cops reveal recent homeless murders ‘are connected’
MURDERS of three homeless people whose deaths “are connected” have raised fears a serial killer is stalking Louisiana’s streets - and those who live on them.
Officials were so alarmed by the murders that a news conference was called Friday to warn people “there is danger in sleeping outside,” reported.
Just hours before, a 50-year-old homeless man was found dead of a single gunshot wound on the porch of a vacant home, according to .
Police Chief Murphy Paul told reporters whoever is behind the slayings seems to be targeting “homeless, and therefore vulnerable,” people.
“We do believe that it was incumbent upon us to provide the public, the media and the service providers that provide services to our homeless that there is danger in sleeping outside,” he said.
Friday’s killing was about two blocks from the location of a Dec. 13 double-homicide in which two people were gunned down beneath an overpass.
The victims, a 53-year-old woman and 40-year-old man, were both homeless, police said.
Investigators at the time reported no known motive for the murders, reported.
But since identifying a potential connection between the murders, Baton Rouge cops have requested FBI and state police assistance.
A member of the city’s homeless community, Amanda Owens, told The Advocate she and others were on edge.
Owens said the deceased were rumored to have been sleeping when they were shot “execution-style.”
“It’s like - do I have a target on my back, or what?” Owens said.
She added: “We’re kind of wondering if it’s a serial killing-type thing.”
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All three victims were visible from the street and killed nearly in the open, reported.
That detail has led those who work closely with the community to urge those who choose or are forced to spend the night on the streets to find more concealed sleeping areas.