James Edwards Bills Jr., 57

By Jeanette Marantos

James Edwards Bills Jr., a 57-year-old black man, died Wednesday, Oct, 18, after he was stabbed in the 100 block of West 132nd Street in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Bills was one of many homeless people who live in cars or motor homes along this wide, industrial street, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Derrick Alfred. 

Investigators think some kind of argument occurred that morning around 8:55, and Bills was stabbed, Alfred said. 

Bills was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:01 a.m., according to coroner’s records. 

Investigators believe they have recovered the weapon, “an improvised stabbing instrument,” Alfred said. They suspect is described as a black male in his late teens who is considered to be a transient.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dets. John Carlin or Ralph Hernandez at the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

FOR THE RECORD

4:25 p.m., Nov 17, 2017: This article indicates that Bills was stabbed at 8:55 a.m. He was stabbed around 8:10 a.m.