The Los Angeles County Police Department said an elderly man who was hospitalized in Southern California to receive treatment for COVID-19 was fatal to a blow by a roommate who was disturbed when the victim began praying.
The department said in a statement that the 82-year-old victim was hit with an oxygen tank on December 17 while in a two-person room at Antelope Valley Hospital in Lancaster and died the following day. His name has not been revealed.
The department said the suspect, Jesse Martinez, 37, was arrested and charged with premeditated murder and other crimes.
Martinez, who was also being treated for the Coronavirus, did not personally know the other man.
Martinez was held on $ 1 million bail and was due to appear in court for the first time and was not immediately known if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
