Brutal Beating Of Disabled, Sleeping Homeless Man In SF Was A 'Thrill Kill'
SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) -- Police are calling the death of a sleeping, disabled homeless man in San Francisco's Financial District, a thrill kill.
They say the suspects who attacked 67-year-old Tai Lam were not looking for money. In fact, Lam had $1000 with him when his body was found.
Lam was sound asleep in a sleeping bag on Sutter Street when 3 men viciously kicked and beat him to death.
To say Lam was vulnerable would be putting it mildly. According to police he measured only 5'5", and weighed less than 100 pounds.
"He had to use crutches to walk around and obviously is a poor defenseless person who couldn't even defend himself," said SFPD Officer Albie Esparza.
Police Homicide Investigators spent Thursday evening handing out flyers at the Montgomery BART Station, hoping someone might recognize the culprits in the brutal beating.
Police also released surveillance videos after the attack. One video shows the men milling around and smoking near Montgomery and Post streets after the attack. The other shows only part of the attack because the beating was so severe.
The suspects may have been in a flash mob the night of the fatal attack. Police said they do have some physical evidence that could link the suspects to the crime, but do not want to compromise the investigation.