Man Bludgeoned To Death In Lancaster, Suspect In Custody

LANCASTER (CBSLA.com) — A man was bludgeoned to death Saturday in Lancaster.

The murder occurred about 9 a.m. in the 42000 block of Sierra Highway, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported.

Paramedics rushed the victim to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, officials said. His name was not released.

The suspect is in custody.

An off-duty canine officer was driving north on Sierra Highway near Avenue M, when he said he observed two males walking south on the shoulder of the road.

He said the suspect was carrying a large piece of splintered wood, about the size of a baseball bat. The suspect allegedly swung the weapon at the victim, a 49-year-old Latino, striking him in the head. The officer said the suspect hit the man with the wood repeatedly in the upper body.

The officer stopped his vehicle, jumped out and detained the suspect. The officer said he rendered medical aid to the victim until paramedics and Lancaster Station Deputies arrived on scene.

The suspect was taken to the Lancaster Station and booked for murder.  The suspect has been identified as 39-year-old Daniel Nathan Nosch, a white male. His relationship to the victim, if any, was not revealed.

The investigation is on-going. Anyone with additional information on the case should call LASD at (323) 890-5500.

(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)