LOCAL : Transient Killed as He Tries to Save Woman From Assault

A transient living in a vacant lot was beaten to death in Long Beach after he went to the aid of a woman being sexually assaulted, police said today.

Police did not immediately release the name of the transient, but were calling him a “good Samaritan.”

A suspect, Santiago Hernandez, 27, of Long Beach, was captured after a brief foot chase, Lt. Philip King said. Hernandez was being held without bail on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and attempted rape.

Police said a 30-year-old Long Beach woman had agreed to accompany the suspect to the vacant lot behind an auto body shop on Santa Fe Avenue about 11:45 p.m. Sunday. King said the woman was attacked and was being sexually assaulted when the transient went to her aid.

The transient was beaten on the head with a lead pipe and died in surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center, King said. The woman was treated at the hospital for cuts to the head and a broken arm.