April 22, 2026: Man Charged With Murder After Elderly Victim Beaten, Set on Fire in Downtown LA

If convicted as charged, Lavonta Wilder faces up to life in state prison

LOS ANGELES - A man was charged today with murder in the killing of an 84-year-old Korean man living with dementia who had wandered from a convalescent home before being brutally beaten and set on fire in downtown Los Angeles.

"This case involves an elderly man who was disoriented and living with dementia, conditions that made him particularly vulnerable. Our thoughts are with the victim's family as they endure this unimaginable tragedy," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "The level of violence alleged here is brutal, callous and extreme, and our prosecutors will pursue this case with the urgency it demands to ensure accountability and justice for the victim and his loved ones."

Lavonta Martel Wilder (dob 8/26/85), a transient, is charged with one count of murder and faces a special allegation of having a prior serious felony in case 26CJCF02476. His arraignment was continued today to May 21 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Bail was set at $2,050,000.

On April 19 at approximately 11:55 p.m., the victim, Bang Cho, was seated on Sixth Street between Hope Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles when he stood up and briefly approached a passerby then walked behind Wilder and grabbed one of the bags Wilder was carrying. Wilder is accused of then viciously punching and kicking Cho in the head and body, lifting him over his shoulder and slamming him to the ground - before setting him on fire.

Cho was transported to a hospital, where he died the following day.

Wilder was later located on Sixth Street, north of Hope Street, and taken into custody.

If convicted as charged, Wilder faces up to life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elizabeth Karb of the Arson and Explosives Section. The investigation remains ongoing by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The charges in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.