Surveillance video of three people who police say are suspects in the fatal beating of a homeless man. (San Francisco Police Dept.)

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX 5) — Police in San Francisco hope surveillance video of men suspected beating a homeless man to death will lead to their arrest.

67-year-old Tai Lam was found dead last Monday near Sutter and Montgomery streets. He had been savagely beaten as he slept on the sidewalk.

Raw Video: Suspects In Homeless Man’s Fatal Beating



Video surveillance showed a man kicking his sleeping bag the night before. Police said the man and two other people returned a short time later and beat him again.

“There was no reason for this,” said San Francisco Police Lt. Toney Chaplin. “As far as provocation goes, I don’t know how much provocation you can give someone sleeping in a sleeping bag with your crutches a few feet away from you.”

The attacks happened sometime between 11 p.m. and midnight on Nov. 23. It wasn’t until about 7 a.m. on Nov. 24 that Lam’s body was found, according to police.

“He was unable to defend himself. He died alone after suffering these horrendous attacks,” Chaplin said.

The new video shows the three suspects hanging out after the attack. The three young men appeared to be wearing hooded sweatshirts and baggy clothing and did not appear to be homeless themselves, Sgt. John Cagney said.

They were described as possibly in their late teens to early 20s or 30s, Cagney said.

The sergeant said two of the suspects are believed to be African-American while the third is believed to be Caucasian.

One of the African-American males appeared to stand more than 6 feet tall, Cagney said.

Investigators have reason to believe the suspects may have taken BART or Muni to or from the location of the homicide and are asking the public to contact them with any information.

Anyone with information can contact San Francisco police Sgt. John Cagney at (415) 734-3831 or may do so via the anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411 with “SFPD” in the message.

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