A homeless individual has been charged with murder after allegedly attacking an elderly man with dementia in downtown Los Angeles, leading to the man’s tragic death.
The victim, identified as Mr. Van Cho, 84, reportedly left his nursing home on April 19 and encountered Lavonta Martell Wilder, described as a transient, on Sixth Avenue near Hope Street.
According to prosecutors, Cho tried to take one of Wilder’s bags. In response, Wilder is accused of brutally punching and kicking Cho in the head and body, lifting him, and then slamming him to the ground before setting him on fire. Officials noted that Cho’s condition made him especially vulnerable.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the alleged violence as “brutal, callous and extreme,” emphasizing that the prosecution would pursue the case with determination to seek justice for the victim and his family.
Wilder now faces a murder charge along with an additional charge related to a prior felony conviction.
If convicted, Wilder could face life in prison, according to authorities. Video footage showed the victim lying on the ground, surrounded by police and paramedics before being transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Witnesses reported seeing the attack unfold, noting that they saw Wilder stomp on the victim’s face and ignite a fire. They hurried off the bus to attempt to extinguish the flames and provided CPR to Cho.
Wilder was later apprehended nearby on Sixth Avenue and has a court appearance scheduled for May 21. His bail has been set at over $2 million, and if found guilty, he could potentially face a lengthy prison sentence.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the Los Angeles Police Department actively looking into the case.
