A security guard was arrested in connection with a man found stabbed to death in a Santa Monica alley.
The suspect was identified as Sebastian Emil Gaston, 36, Santa Monica police confirmed on Nov. 19.
On September 6, police responded to reports of a person online on the ground in the 1100 block of Alley 6.
Arriving officers found the victim with a fatal stab wound to his upper chest. It wasn’t until he was in his 30s that he was identified as homeless.
The suspect had fled before authorities arrived. After collecting surveillance footage and witness statements, detectives identified Gaston as the suspect.
They also discovered that Gaston was a security guard who worked in the building next to where the fatal stabbing occurred.
Sebastian Emil Gaston, 36, is seen in a Santa Monica Police booking photo.
On November 7, Gaston was taken into custody. During questioning, police said he admitted to the fatal stabbing, as well as an earlier attack in July.
Details about the motive behind the killing and whether the victim and suspect knew each other have not been released.
Gaston remains in the custody of the LA County Police Department pending trial.
Anyone with information about the fatal incident is encouraged to contact Detective Kayondo at lawrence.kayondo@santamonica.gov or Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov.
The public can also call the Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
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