A Santa Monica woman was allegedly killed by her son during an early morning incident in their shared apartment. NBC Los Angeles reports that around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, the Santa Monica Police Department was called to the 1100 block of 12th Street on an aggravated assault call.
Upon arrival, police found the woman suffering from several stab wounds to her upper body. Two sons were present at the scene, one of whom was identified as the suspect, 43-year-old Vernon Jeremiah Harris, who authorities believe may have physical and developmental disabilities. His brother, who acts as a caregiver for both Harris and their mother, claimed to have been woken by his mother's screams for help. He then proceeded to find Harris in her bedroom "standing over her with a knife," as he told KTLA.
The victim received emergency care but unfortunately died while being transported to the hospital. The third son was not at the residence during the time of the incident, having been at work, but both he and the caregiver brother have since complied with the investigation, providing detectives with statements.
Following the incident, detectives executed a search warrant to thoroughly investigate the apartment, eventually locating the weapon believed to have been used in the attack. Harris was taken into custody and is expected to be booked at the Los Angeles County Jail. The Santa Monica Police Department has called on anyone with information about the incident to come forward. In a press release, they provided contact information for Detective Jauregui and Sergeant Lozano on the Santa Monica Police Department's website.
