The crime occurred about 9:45 a.m. Dec. 17 at the facility, where both men were being treated for COVID-19, the sheriff s department reported. (The victim) was housed in a two-person room inside the hospital with the suspect, who was also there receiving treatment, a sheriff s department statement said. The suspect became upset when the victim started to pray. He then struck the victim with an oxygen tank.
The name of the 82-year-old victim, who died the following day, was withheld, pending notification of his relatives.
The victim and suspect did know one another, the sheriff s department reported.
Copyright CNS - City News Service
COVID-19 patient charged with murder in deadly beating of fellow patient at Lancaster hospital
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A COVID-19 patient accused of beating a fellow patient to death inside Antelope Valley Hospital has been charged with murder, authorities said Wednesday.
The gruesome murder happened the morning of Dec. 17. Investigators say 37-year-old Jesse Martinez beat his 82-year-old roommate at the Lancaster facility, where both men were being treated for COVID-19. The suspect became upset when the victim started to pray. He then struck the victim with an oxygen tank, a sheriff s department statement said.
The victim, who did not personally know the suspect, died the day after the attack, officials added.