Man faces life-threatening injuries in homeless camp attack

SANTA CRUZ >> More than five days after a physical assault, a 33-year-old homeless man remained in critical condition at an out-of-county trauma center Monday.

The Santa Cruz Police Department is investigating the attack, reported shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday at San Lorenzo Park, that left the man beaten near a tarpcovered area within the larger homeless encampment there, Lt. Arnold Vasquez said. He added that the man may not have been associated with the larger encampment. The area around the assault remained closed off well into the evening, while investigators obtained a warrant to search the area, Vasquez said.

The incident initially was seen as a “straightforward battery,” until the man’s condition deteriorated because of the severity of his injuries, Vasquez said. Detectives are seeking witnesses to the attack and at this time have not confirmed whether or not any weapons were involved, he said. Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the attack, according to Vasquez.

Though the man faced life-threatening injuries and remained in critical condition this week, Vasquez said he was expected to make a full recovery.

Officials are asking that anyone with information related to the case call Santa Cruz Police Department’s investigations division at 831-420-5820 or call detective Richard Booloopian directly at 831420-5839.