Suspect in a series of killings in California is formally charged with 3 murders, more than 2 rapes, and other sexual crimes.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A manhunt is in progress for a suspected serial killer in California, and authorities say he had motive to kill more than 20 women across the state.
The Los Angeles Police Department says 24-year-old William Edward Hickman has been formally charged with three murders, more than two rapes, and other sexual crimes.
Police also said at a news conference Wednesday that the suspect was in the process of surrendering to authorities and had not been armed with a gun at the time he was shot Saturday night by a police officer. Investigators believe he opened fire after being confronted by officers questioning him about the murders.
Police say there’s no parole-like release date for Hickman as yet, but they said that won’t be the case until after he’s been able to speak to investigators.
Authorities say Hickman had motive to kill more than 20 women across the state, and investigators believe he had additional victims.
The manhunt is in Los Angeles, including the Los Angeles area. Police said it started earlier in Santa Barbara county and that investigators there also had motive to kill more than 20 women and men.
Hickman is also charged with two attempted murders in Ventura county on Monday.
The Associated Press has not confirmed his identity in this story.
The Los Angeles Times reports Hickman has connections in California. Authorities say he was a classmate of the suspect who committed the murders on a college campus in Southern California.
