Jaime Paige
SMDP / Venice Current Staff Writer
The Los Angeles Police Department say a suspect in Friday's Boardwalk murder has been arrested.
Pacific officers arrested 38-year-old Michael McClain, of Venice, who was booked for the murder of 49- year old Michael Hall. Both the victim and suspect were persons experiencing homelessness, according to police.
LAPD officers were called to the encampment located in the area of Ocean Front Walk and Dudley Avenue at about 3:20 p.m. Friday. When officers arrived, they found Hall who had suffered blunt force trauma to his head.
LAPD West Bureau Homicide investigators responded and conducted a homicide investigation.
Investigators say they learned that other homeless people had heard yelling and possibly a fight in the early morning hours. Later in the day they noticed that the tent was collapsed. Officers say the 911 caller checked the tent and found the victim dead.
Investigators say Hall had an ongoing dispute with the McClain. McClain was located and detained at 3rd Avenue and Sunset Avenue at another homeless encampment, according to police.
The case will be presented to the District Attorney for filing consideration on June 29, 2021, according to LAPD.
This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with information should contact West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470
In an unrelated case, LAPD were also called to the Boardwalk Sunday when a mob tried to prevent an arrest.
It happened around 7 p.m. near 800 Ocean Front Walk, according to LAPD
Police say a group got into a fight. Officers went to break up the fight and took one person into custody. Police say that the crowd tried to intervene. Backup officers were called to help. Around 25 additional officers responded to restore order, according to LAPD.
This story is published as part of a partnership between SMPD and the Venice Current.
