Lawlor reportedly demanded that a homeless couple leave the vacant lot around 8:30 am. He told them that he was going for his Glock handgun and when the man inside stuck his face out, Lawlor reportedly kicked him in the face twice. Fifteen minutes later, Lawlor reportedly returned in his black pickup truck, poured gasoline on the tent, and set it on fire.
Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna told CBS2 News taht Lawlor was “fed up” with homeless people.
It is beyond me how anyone could abuse these people who are struggling and are not living on the streets by choice. Many people find themselves in desperate situations and rather than emphasize, some people like Lawlor treat them as vermin.
It will be interesting how Lawlor is sentenced. He would be wise to plead guilty because the situation could not be worse for him. He committed a premeditated act that could have killed these people. The viciousness of the crime and its premeditation would put the aggravating elements high on the sentencing scheme.