SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced in a press release on December 6, that they are asking for additional victims who may have been assaulted by Kenneth Wilburn to come forward.

On November 16, at approximately 6 p.m., the SMPD responded to a radio call of a brutal assault that occurred on a sidewalk in the 2100 block of 7th St. An elderly female was followed as she was walked home from a local grocery store. Once she was off the main street, the suspect grabbed her from behind and took her to the ground with him. Wilburn started to violently strangle her. The victim lost consciousness multiple times during the attack, until a random car driving by caused the attack to stop and Wilburn fled the area. 

The SMPD canvassed the neighborhood, and reviewed nearby surveillance cameras and were able to identify Wilburn, 28, of Sacramento as the suspect. On December 3, he was taken into custody with the help of Sacramento Police Department and is being currently held on $60,000 bail.  

Lt. Candice Cobarrubias of the SMPD informed Canyon News via email that the attack was random and no motive has been provided to the detectives.

“We are currently seeking out information from Sacramento County and Los Angeles County on similar incidents.  Right now we only have this incident in our city.  The victim is recovering,” said Lt. Cobarrubias to the Canyon News.

SMPD is asking anyone who may have been victimized by Wilburn to come forward. The public can reach Detective Nicole Murphy 310-458-8941 or the watch commander at 310-458-8427. 

Written By Brenda De La Cruz and Donald Roberts