Homicide Suspects Still On The Loose

Tulsa Police are working around the clock to solve the city's 26th homicide of the year. The murder investigation has struck a nerve with police detectives, because they tell the News On 6, the only

Thursday, May 31st 2007, 6:14 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Police are working around the clock to solve the city's 26th homicide of the year. The murder investigation has struck a nerve with police detectives, because they tell the News On 6, the only reason the suspects killed the victim is because they could and for no other reason. This is what some people call a thrill killing. The suspects did it just for the thrill of it. News On 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports the victim is homeless man with no history with police, just a man down on his luck, seeking a dry place to sleep.

Someone called Tulsa Police when they saw the assault take place in an empty apartment building. The victim was sleeping when four young men came inside. Police say they wanted to use the place for their own party and viciously attacked the man.

"Some of the things they did to him are very alarming,â€ said Tulsa Police Sgt. Mike Huff. â€œWe're trying to make quick movement on this case."

The news immediately hit the homeless community, where the victim is well known and well liked. People described him as a great guy, willing to give the shirt off his back, even when that was all he had. In addition to sadness over his death, there is also fear.

"They read in other cities where this goes on, senseless, brutal killings of homeless people, and they're wondering, what am I supposed to do?" said Steve Whitaker of John 3:16.

Tulsa Police want to question Justin Grundy in connection with the case. Police say Grundy is considered 'a person of interest.'

Police are looking for Grundy and 3 other men and a white, four-door Honda with blue dice hanging from the rearview mirror.

"There's a few cases a year that have a real impact on us,â€ said Sgt. Huff. â€œObviously, this is one of them that goes outside the norm of any of those tragedies."

Some advocates say it's easy for society to see the homeless as a bother or less than, but they are real people going through tough times.

"There's a guy here in the John 3:16 Mission who's an accountant, one who's an engineer, professional people who've had seriously hard times,â€ Whitaker said. â€œIt's not their fault. It could be them. It could be them who was in that house beaten to death for no reason."

This has been a busy week for Tulsa Police, a murder Sunday, a shooting Wednesday night and Thursdayâ€™s homicide. Yet, in all three cases, they now have possible suspects identified. They will respond to tips 24 hours a day and will protect witnesses who come forward.

If you know anything about this crime, call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS.

Watch the video: Search Continues For Homicide Suspects