Man charged with murder in brutal killing of elderly man in downtown LA

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A man was charged with murder on Thursday after an elderly man was brutally beaten and set on fire in downtown Los Angeles, authorities said.

The victim, identified as Bang Cho, was an 84-year-old Korean man living with dementia who had wandered from a convalescent home, prosecutors said.

Lavonta Martel Wilder, 40, was charged with one count of murder and faces a special allegation of having a prior serious felony.

"This case involves an elderly man who was disoriented and living with dementia, conditions that made him particularly vulnerable," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the victim's family as they endure this unimaginable tragedy. The level of violence alleged here is brutal, callous and extreme, and our prosecutors will pursue this case with the urgency it demands to ensure accountability and justice for the victim and his loved ones."

The attack happened in the overnight hours on Monday. According to the DA's office, Cho was sitting on Sixth Street between Hope Street and Grand Avenue when he stood up and briefly approached a passerby. He then walked behind Wilder, who is homeless, and grabbed one of the bags Wilder was carrying.

"Wilder is accused of then viciously punching and kicking Cho in the head and body, lifting him over his shoulder and slamming him to the ground before setting him on fire," the DA's office said.

Cho was rushed to the hospital where he died the next day. Wilder was later found on Sixth Street, north of Hope Street, and was taken into custody.

His arraignment was scheduled for May 21, with bail was set to $2.05 million. If convicted as charged, Wilder faces up to life in state prison.

The investigation remains ongoing.