A 31-year-old man suspected of attempting to strangle a fellow homeless man in Palisades Park in Santa Monica was arrested, police said Tuesday.
Officers responded to the 200 block of Palisades Park around 8:55 a.m. Friday following a report of an assault in progress, according to the Santa Monica Police Department Lt. Erika Aklufi.
Upon arrival, officers saw Tamarquis Burke strangling another man, Aklufi said.
The responding officers immediately intervened as the victim was heard pleading for assistance, Aklufi said.
Burke quickly responded to the officers’ command to release the victim and was taken into custody without further incident, Aklufi said.
Several witnesses in the area told police the attack was unprovoked, Aklufi said.
Burke was booked at the Santa Monica Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. His bail was set at $2.025 million, Aklufi said.
Anyone with additional information regarding the assault was urged to contact SMPD Detective James McCoy at James.McCoy@santamonica.gov or Sgt. Chad Goodwin at Chad.Goodwin@santamonica.gov.