A woman was allegedly stabbed to death in her Santa Monica home on Saturday by her 43-year-old son, who authorities believe has physical and developmental disabilities.
According to the Santa Monica Police Department, around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a report of an aggravated assault at an apartment complex in the 1100 block of 12th Street near Colorado Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers found a woman, described as an “elderly adult,” suffering from multiple stab wounds to her upper body. Police said her two sons were also in the home. One of the suspects was identified as Vernon Jeremiah Harris. The other person was identified as his brother and described as a caretaker.
According to SMPD, the suspect’s brother told officers that he called police after he woke up to his mother screaming for help and found his brother holding a knife in her bedroom.
The woman was given first aid and transported to a local hospital, but succumbed to her injuries en route. Her name was not immediately released.
Police said the third son was at work at the time of the incident, but has since responded to the investigation.
Detectives searched the apartment and found the murder weapon used in the attack, police said.
Vernon Jeremiah Harris was taken into custody and will be booked into the Los Angeles County Jail.
Anyone with information regarding this incident was asked to contact Detective Jauregui at martin.jauregui@santamonica.gov. Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov or the Oversight Commander Desk at 310-458-8427.
