Suspect Arrested in San Diego Homeless Attacks

Relief in San Diego: A suspect was arrested Thursday in connection with a sickening series of attacks on homeless people that left two men dead and another two seriously injured, CNN reports. Police say they believe Anthony Alexander Padgett, 36, is the suspect captured on video at a convenience store near the site of the first attack early Sunday. Padgett, who allegedly inflicted severe upper body trauma on all four victims and set two of them on fire, has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of arson. Police didn't comment on a motive for the attacks, or on whether Padgett is homeless himself.

San Diego Capt. David Nisleit says there was "probable cause" to arrest Padgett, though he added there could be other suspects and that homeless people should remain vigilant, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Police need to consider "other recent attacks that have been happening over the past few weeks," Nisleit says. "We need to determine if Mr. Padgett is involved or if we still have another suspect out there attacking the homeless population." The Union-Tribune notes that in 2010, the Star-News reported that a 30-year-old homeless man named Anthony Padgett was sentenced to four years in prison for setting another homeless man on fire. (More San Diego stories.)