Gerold Lipeles, a 69-year-old homeless veteran and double amputee, was tragically shot and killed on May 17, 2022, while he was asleep in his wheelchair outside a McDonald's restaurant on West Century Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, and Lipeles was shot in the head by a woman who approached him while he was sleeping.
He was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries five days later.
The Los Angeles Police Department launched an investigation into the murder, which led to the arrest of three individuals. Rubi Aguiano-Salazar, a 37-year-old woman, was identified as the primary suspect. She was already in custody for another shooting incident when police connected her to Lipeles' murder. Aguiano-Salazar was charged with one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. The attempted murder charge stemmed from an incident that occurred just four days after Lipeles' shooting, where Aguiano-Salazar allegedly shot another homeless person, Stella Polly, in the back at a bus stop.
Two other individuals, Raymundo Hernandez, 34, and Blas Canche, 32, were also arrested in connection with Lipeles' death. Hernandez was charged with one count of murder, while Canche's involvement remained under investigation. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office described the murder as "disturbingly brutal and callous," emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim, who was unhoused and a double amputee.
The case drew significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the circumstances of the victim. Lipeles was remembered as a military veteran who had fallen on hard times, and his death highlighted the ongoing issues of violence against homeless individuals in Los Angeles. The arrests and charges brought some measure of justice for Lipeles, but the incident underscored the need for greater protection and support for the homeless community.
