Suspect Sought Who Beat Elderly Man To Death In East LA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Authorities Wednesday sought the public's help in identifying the suspect in the fatal beating of a 76-year-old man with dementia in East LA.

Santos Castro was beaten on Aug. 18 while standing on a street corner in front of a Carl's Jr. restaurant in the 5600 block of Whittier Boulevard, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

"At the time of the incident, Mr. Castro became involved in a struggle over a bicycle with an unknown male Hispanic suspect.  During the struggle, the suspect punched Mr. Castro several times in the head, knocking him to the sidewalk," Lt. Steve Jauch said.

The grandfather and Navy veteran sustained blunt force trauma to his head and died at County-USC Medical Center hours after the assault.

"I miss my husband very, very much. I miss him. I don't know why they did that to him. I can't be without him," widow Leandra Castro said. "He was so good."

"The suspect was captured on video inside the Carl's Jr. Restaurant prior to the assault," Lt. Jauch said.

Anyone with information should contact the LASD at (323)267-4800.