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Miscellaneous See other Miscellaneous Articles Title: Suspect in California killings of homeless men is an Iraq war veteran Former Marine Itzcoatl Ocampo, 23, of Yorba Linda appeared deeply troubled when he returned home and for a year had been telling relatives that he was seeing and hearing things, an uncle says. A 23-year-old former Marine who some say was distraught after combat service in Iraq has been named a suspect in the serial killings of four homeless men in Orange County. Itzcoatl Ocampo of Yorba Linda was chased by bystanders Friday after the most recent stabbing death behind a fast-food restaurant in an Anaheim shopping center parking lot. Ocampo remained in police custody without bail Saturday and is expected in court on Tuesday. "We are extremely confident that we have the man who is responsible for the murders of all four homeless men in Orange County," Anaheim Police Chief John Welter said at a news conference Saturday. Police said they will seek four counts of murder next week. Authorities did not specify a motive for the killings, which began on Dec. 20 and sent fear through the homeless community. However, a relative and a friend of the suspect described a young man who appeared to be deeply troubled after his return from service in Iraq in the summer of 2010. "When he came back from Iraq, he was sick," said his uncle, Ifrain Gonzalez. For the last year, he had been telling relatives that he was seeing and hearing things, Gonzalez said. The last time Gonzalez saw his nephew was at a Christmas Eve party. Ocampo, he said, had told a cousin, "I did something terrible, but don't worry." It was four days after the killings had begun. Brian Doyle, a friend from high school, said Ocampo told him he had been kicked out of the military. A Marine Corps representative could not be reached Saturday for confirmation, and Anaheim police declined to discuss Ocampo's military service. Since Ocampo's return, he had socialized with Doyle from time to time, drinking beer, smoking cigars and talking. He was arrested Friday evening after bystanders chased him down about a quarter mile from the shopping center where police found the body of John Berry, 64, near a trash bin behind a Carl's Jr. restaurant. On Saturday, a makeshift memorial of balloons, flowers and oatmeal cookies stood at the site of the homeless man's death, near La Palma Avenue and Imperial Highway. Mourners described him as a familiar and friendly presence outside the restaurant. Berry had a long white beard and often ended a conversation with a blessing. Friends said he was an astronomy buff and carried a well-thumbed Audubon guide, as well as a Bible. Berry enjoyed identifying the fowl visiting nearby waterways, said friend Bill Emery. "One day he pointed out a duck and said, 'That's a cinnamon teal.' " Berry was less forthcoming about his own family. He told some people that they lived in Costa Rica and others that he was from back East and that his father was a physician. With a serial killer targeting homeless men, friends and acquaintances said, they worried for Berry's safety. At first, Berry said he wasn't scared. He was interviewed earlier this month by a Times reporter at the camp along the nearby Santa Ana River bed where he had been living for months under a tarp. He said he was safer there than in a shelter. "I just like to stay outdoors," Berry said. "A guy can get killed crossing the street. I've been as careful as I can, watching and everything." Police had warned him to leave, but he refused. Poster Comment: Just more blow-back from sleaze ball politicians sending American soldiers to fight wars to protect Israeli criminals. From among comments: executivecoachphilip Those who have fought for our armed services deserve the best care possible when they return from these foreign wars. There is a training session that prepares them for the battlefield, there should be a debriefing session of equal length to help them make the transition. Those who are severely injured or suffer from PTSD should be immediately treated for their new disability. We may see more of this as troops return if we do not proactively prepare them for their return to civilian life. This could have been prevented if we would show the troops we care for them and honor their service. How many more of these events should we experience before we learn? I am saddened to hear this story. We can do better as a nation. MissClarity Sure he's hearing voices. You would too if you were drugged by the US Government Military Complex so you too can stay on partrol 4 days and 5 nights straigh through without sleep. There's only one way to do that and it fries your brain and there is no healing of damaged brain tissue. billpeet See? Joining the military builds character! Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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