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Cali_Democrat

(30,439 posts)
Sun Jan 15, 2012, 03:48 AM Jan 2012

Suspect in O.C. killings of homeless men is an Iraq war veteran (serial killer of four homeless men)

By Nicole Santa Cruz and Alan Zarembo, Times Staff Writers

January 14, 2012, 9:16 p.m.
A 23-year-old former Marine who some say was distraught after combat service in Iraq has been named a suspect in the serial killings of four homeless men in Orange County.

Itzcoatl Ocampo of Yorba Linda was chased by bystanders Friday after the most recent stabbing death behind a fast-food restaurant in an Anaheim shopping center parking lot. Ocampo remained in police custody without bail Saturday and is expected in court on Tuesday.

"We are extremely confident that we have the man who is responsible for the murders of all four homeless men in Orange County," Anaheim Police Chief John Welter said at a news conference Saturday. Police said they will seek four counts of murder next week.

Authorities did not specify a motive for the killings, which began on Dec. 20 and sent fear through the homeless community. However, a relative and a friend of the suspect described a young man who appeared to be deeply troubled after his return from service in Iraq in the summer of 2010.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless-killings-20120115,0,5541926.story

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Suspect in O.C. killings of homeless men is an Iraq war veteran (serial killer of four homeless men) (Original Post) Cali_Democrat Jan 2012 OP
The first of many. DCKit Jan 2012 #1
It's not even the first. RandySF Jan 2012 #3
This message was self-deleted by its author HereSince1628 Jan 2012 #6
This has nothing to do with lack of care or combat obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #9
Horrible hang a left Jan 2012 #2
Disturbing. n/t ellisonz Jan 2012 #4
the last man he killed was a Vietnam Vet JI7 Jan 2012 #5
I saw a movie on TV last night on a similar theme of dangerous whacked out Irag war vets. man4allcats Jan 2012 #7
Combat doesn't make you a sociopath obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #8

RandySF

(57,661 posts)
3. It's not even the first.
Sun Jan 15, 2012, 04:26 AM
Jan 2012

Incidents involving returned vets are popping up all over the country.

Response to RandySF (Reply #3)

 

hang a left

(10,921 posts)
2. Horrible
Sun Jan 15, 2012, 03:59 AM
Jan 2012

Sounds like this young man was not well even before he went into the Army. Guess they aren't too selective. SHOCKER. Even more surprising is the absence of care when they come home.

I forgot the sarcasm emoticon, my bad.

man4allcats

(4,026 posts)
7. I saw a movie on TV last night on a similar theme of dangerous whacked out Irag war vets.
Sun Jan 15, 2012, 12:13 PM
Jan 2012

I almost skipped it but got sucked into the story about an unbalanced Iraq war vet who comes back to the states and attempts to get a job with the LAPD. Christian Bale, Freddy Rodriguez and Eva Longoria (of Desperate Housewives fame) star. It's a good story though quite violent. Check it out (it's called "Harsh Times&quot at [link:http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433387/|

obamanut2012

(25,911 posts)
8. Combat doesn't make you a sociopath
Sun Jan 15, 2012, 12:23 PM
Jan 2012

It just makes you a better sociopath.

I have had many men and women in my family serve this country in the military, from the American Revolution until now. MANY of those fought in some of the most horrific battles ever. PTSD does NOT make you a violent killer. It does make you depressed, disorganized, etc.

I am really tired of this meme of the sociopathic soldier. Yup. there are lots in the military, some who go in there on purpose (Timothy McVeigh), but the military doesn't make men and women into sociopaths, it makes them soldiers trained to kill in combat. Period. Anything else is organic with that person.

This guy would have done something even if he stayed a civilian and worked at Office Depot.

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