Homeless Man Accused Of Assault That Killed Elderly Man in California

A homeless man who police say assaulted an elderly man who died following the attack was arrested, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office.

What police called an "unprovoked and senseless homicide" happened on Sept. 28 in the 6200 block of Kenneth Avenue, where the victim, 74-year-old James C. Raleigh was living in Carmichael. Darin Chastain, 54, was arrested in connection to the homicide.

According to police, Chastain is suspected of being under the influence when he allegedly was walking through Raleigh's neighborhood. A caller told Sacramento police that a man, later identified as Chastain, was standing outside their neighbor's home screaming and throwing rocks at the garage door.

The caller was concerned for their elderly neighbor, Raleigh, who came outside to see what the commotion was. Chastain assaulted the man and then left the scene, according to police.

Deputies found Chastain a few minutes later and arrested him without incident. When officers interviewed Raleigh in connection to the incident he collapsed to the ground and was having trouble breathing. Deputies performed CPR until Metro Fire arrived to take him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chastain was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on one count of homicide and is being held without bail.