Manhunt continues for shooter targeting homeless men in US cities

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, Texas (AA) - Police in New York City and Washington, DC are on a manhunt to track down a killer targeting homeless people in those US cities.

At least five homeless men have been shot since March 3, leaving two of them dead, one in each city.

"It is heartbreaking and tragic to know that in addition to all the dangers that unsheltered residents face, we now have a cold-blooded killer on the loose," said Mayors Eric Adams of New York and Muriel Bowser of Washington in a joint statement.

Investigators say the attacks took place in the middle of the night, specifically targeting homeless men.

Three of the shootings happened last week in DC.

The other two shootings took place in New York City over the weekend and were caught on surveillance cameras.

"This individual approached the two men, one at a time, you see him looking around, making sure no one was around, kicking the homeless person to make sure they were not asleep and just assassinated him," said Adams. "It was just something you would not imagine would take place in our city."

The New York City Police Department and Washington’s Metro Police Department are now teaming up with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to track down the suspect in the shootings.

"Our homeless population is one of our most vulnerable and an individual preying on them as they sleep is an exceptionally heinous crime," said NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell. "We will use every tool, every technique and every partner to bring the killer to justice."

A $55,000 dollar reward is being offered for the arrest of the shooter.

"The work to get this individual off our streets before he hurts or murders another individual is urgent," said both mayors. "It is particularly horrible to know that someone is out there deliberately doing harm to an already vulnerable population."