Officers have arrested a Santa Monica man for allegedly fatally stabbing his elderly mother Saturday morning, police say.
Santa Monica police said a call came into the department around 5:30 a.m. from a man saying his brother, 43-year-old Vernon Jeremiah Harris, had stabbed their mother several times.
Police responded and found the two brothers in the apartment in the 1100 block of 12th Street.
Officers removed the brothers before discovering their mother had several stab wounds to her upper body. Officials said she died from her injuries while en route to a local hospital.
Police said the suspect, Harris, who has no known criminal history, lives at the location with his mother and two older brothers.
Authorities said Harris may have physical and developmental disabilities, and that his brother, who reported the stabbing, is acting as a caregiver for Harris and their mother.
The brother reportedly woke up when he heard his mother screaming for help and when he walked into her bedroom, he saw Harris standing over her with a knife.
Police said the third brother was at work during the incident but arrived at the scene during the investigation and, along with Harris’ other brother, gave statements to detectives.
Detectives found the weapon used in the attack while executing a search warrant, and the forensics team responded and processed the scene.
Police said Harris will be booked and transported to the Los Angeles County Jail pending his first court appearance.
The Santa Monica Police Department encourages anyone with information regarding this incident or the suspect to contact Detective Jauregui at martin.jauregui@santamonica.gov, Sergeant Lozano at alfonso.lozano@santamonica.gov, or the Watch Commander desk 24 hours a day at 310- 458-8427.
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