Homeless man charged with beating another homeless man to death near El Salvador Park

Jonathan Ceclio Menjivar Lemus, a 27-year-old homeless man charged with beating another homeless man, 27-year-old Jesus Morales Jimenez, with an aluminum pipe in Santa Ana last week, is now facing a charge of attempted murder with sentencing enhancements, as Jimenez has died as a result of his injuries, according to the SAPD.

The beating happened at about 5 p.m. last Thursday at 828 N. Raitt St., just east of El Salvador Park, in the Artesia Pilar Neighborhood.

Lemus was seen swinging the pipe up and down as if he were slamming it into the ground, according to a witness, but she couldn’t see the victim, as her view was blocked. When the witness and another person walked closer to see what Lemus was up to they found Jimenez and immediately called 911.

Lemus was finally arrested several hours later but he was so high at the time, allegedly, that he could not answer any questions.

Jimenez passed away on Monday night as a result of his injuries.

The police investigators still don’t know why Lemus attacked Jimenez.

Lemus is being held without bail. His arraignment was pushed back to Sept. 15. He is said to work in construction.