A suspect wanted by police in connection with the death of a popular Skid Row resident is now in custody after turning himself in to authorities, police said Monday.
Charles Colbert surrendered to police detectives Sunday after seeing himself in a news report, Lt. Paul Vernon of the LAPD told the Los Angeles Times.
Colbert, 50, was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the Friday shooting of 41-year-old Conrad Fitzgerald Phillip. Both men were residents of the Pershing Hotel in downtown LA.
Phillip died from a fatal gunshot wound to the head in the 500 block of South Los Angeles Street, where his body was found by a nearby security guard in the early morning hours Friday.
The victim, also known as “Dread” for the long dreadlocks he wore, was a “well-known and well-liked” resident who had lived in the skid row area for years, earning cash by selling individual cigarettes and incense, Vernon said.
Colbert was identified after police reviewed video surveillance footage from the crime scene and the hotel, and interviewed possible witnesses.
“The footage from the crime scene was very grainy but it did allow us to identify a few articles of clothing,” Vernon told the Times.
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After news reports about the incident aired, Colbert was prompted to call police and surrender.
Colbert has been detained without bail in the Metropolitan Jail.
