Arrest Ends City Tension Over ‘Thrill Killings’

The arrest of a 22-year-old loner accused of killing six people for the thrill of it has ended months of fear and tension in the state capital.

Eric R. Leonard was arrested Thursday night for investigation of the February slayings, in which on consecutive Tuesdays he killed three people at a convenience store and then three more at a pizza parlor.

“I’m glad they caught him. That makes me happy. I was scared for my baby for a while, but everything’s OK now,” a woman who gave her name only as Paula said Friday as she pushed a stroller past a crowd in the parking lot of Leonard’s apartment complex.

Leonard, an unemployed former college student, was interviewed three times by authorities before his arrest, said sheriff’s homicide Lt. Ray Biondi, who led the investigation.

Witnesses described a man wearing a trench coat at both crime scenes and the link was crucial in leading detectives to Leonard, Biondi said.

Leonard was held without bail and arraignment was scheduled for Monday.

Ballistics tests on bullets from a .25-caliber handgun belonging to Leonard’s father matched bullets found at the murder scenes, Sacramento County Sheriff Glen Craig said. The gun was surrendered to authorities by the father, who is not suspected of wrongdoing.

The killer struck on Feb. 12 at a Quik Stop and Feb. 19 at a Round Table Pizza restaurant. The apparent lack of motive led detectives to dub the suspect the “thrill killer.”

Shops closed early and armed guards worked extra shifts as residents waited in fear, which peaked after the second killing.

Some neighbors who knew Leonard described him as quiet and a “nice little guy.” Others said they were relieved by the arrest.

“Having this guy in our neighborhood, I was shocked. I’m relieved now that they’ve got him,” said Mitch Ollis, who lives in a complex across the street from Leonard.

On Feb. 26, the day before the third consecutive Tuesday, Leonard was interviewed by investigators, but Craig said there was insufficient evidence linking him with the crimes. Craig said the interview “may have scared him . . . to allow no further murders to occur.”

Even after the arrest, no motive was apparent, Craig said. After his arrest, Leonard “was very docile, very staid, very stoic,” Craig added.