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Suspect in fatal Ocean Beach stabbing arrested

Posted at 9:46 AM, Feb 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-21 12:46:20-05

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - The suspect in an Ocean Beach attack last summer that left a homeless man dead was arrested, San Diego police said Wednesday.

Police said 19-year-old Noah Mitchell Jackson was located in Huntington Beach and taken into custody Tuesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Jackson is accused of attacking 65-year-old Walter "Ras" Riley in the 1900 block of Bacon Street in Ocean Beach on June 22, 2017.

RELATED: Man dies after attack on busy Ocean Beach street

Riley died at the hospital after suffering stab wounds to his torso.

Riley is an Ohio native nicknamed "the Incense Man" due to his practice of selling aromatic burning sticks at local farmers markets. He was considered a peaceful and friendly fixture on the streets of his adopted coastal hometown, according to area residents and merchants.

Aided by surveillance camera footage, SDPD investigators identified Jackson as the suspect in the case. Police did not say what other evidence led them to Jackson.

Jackson was booked into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of murder.

RELATED: Crime Stoppers releases photos of Ocean Beach murder suspect

A motive in the case is not known.