4 Killed in L.A. County Homeless Encampment Since October

Detectives probe possible connections among the slayings, including the death of former NFL player Kevin Johnson

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Los Angeles County sheriff's homicide detectives are investigating possible links among the recent killings of four homeless people, including former NFL lineman Kevin Johnson, in a Willowbrook encampment since October. The victims were killed in different ways, and authorities have not determined motives, but the proximity of the deaths in the same unhoused community has raised concerns that the killings could be connected.

Why it matters

The wave of violence in the Willowbrook homeless encampment highlights the disproportionate risk of violent crime faced by unhoused individuals in Los Angeles County, with some areas like Skid Row seeing gang members prey on the homeless population.

The details

The four victims include Michelle Steele, 52, who was shot in the head on October 5 and died over a month later; Octavio Arias, 52, who suffered fatal head and neck trauma on December 4; former NFL player Kevin Johnson, 55, who was found dead with blunt force trauma and stab wounds on January 21; and Mauro Alfaro, 52, who died of multiple injuries on January 26. Homicide detectives are investigating whether the killings are related or the work of the same perpetrator, but each slaying had a different method.

  • On October 5, Michelle Steele, 52, was shot in the head.
  • On November 12, Michelle Steele died from her injuries.
  • On December 4, Octavio Arias, 52, was killed with head and neck trauma.
  • On January 21, former NFL player Kevin Johnson, 55, was found dead with blunt force trauma and stab wounds.
  • On January 26, Mauro Alfaro, 52, died of multiple injuries.

The players

Michelle Steele

A 52-year-old homeless woman who was shot in the head on October 5 and died over a month later on November 12.

Octavio Arias

A 52-year-old homeless man who was killed with head and neck trauma on December 4.

Kevin Johnson

A 55-year-old former NFL lineman who was found dead with blunt force trauma and stab wounds on January 21.

Mauro Alfaro

A 52-year-old homeless man who died of multiple injuries on January 26.

Nicole Nishida

A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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What they’re saying

“We are looking at the possibility that they are connected.”

— Nicole Nishida, Department spokeswoman (latimes.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This wave of violence in the Willowbrook homeless encampment underscores the heightened risk of violent crime faced by unhoused individuals in Los Angeles County, and highlights the need for greater resources and support to protect this vulnerable population.