On August 23, 2000, the San Diego Police Department Communications Center received a call regarding a male down in the west alley of 3700 28th Street in North Park.
Patrol officers responded and found 71 year-old LeRay Parkins in the alley, suffering from apparent traumatic wounds.
Parkins was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased three days later.
The San Diego Police Homicide Unit responded to the scene and began their investigation.
The investigators identified three persons of interest in the case, but could not connect them to the actual crime scene.
The SDPD Homicide Cold Case Unit, in conjunction with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Cold Case Unit, has continued to investigate the case.
Due to advances in forensic technology, the investigators were able to solidify the case against the three persons of interest.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against the three suspects and arrest warrants were issued, charging them with the murder of LeRay Parkins.
All three of the suspects have since relocated to other states.
The United States Marshal’s Service assisted in coordinating their arrests on May 16, 2018. 38 year-old Lester Bell was arrested in Longmont, Colorado. 36 year-old Terrence Maurice Brown was arrested in Tucson, Arizona. 38 year-old Edward Jamar Brooks was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina.
All three suspects are being held pending extradition to San Diego. The San Diego Police Department would like to thank the San Diego Police Crime Lab, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Unit, the United States Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Forces, and the Arizona Violent Offenders Task Force for their assistance in this investigation and the subsequent arrests.
Photo Credit : KOGO Radio