Police: Fatal hatchet beating was random crime

SEATTLE -- The man who was fatally attacked with a hatchet on Monday morning appears to have fallen victim to a random crime, according to police.

Police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said the 58-year-old victim was beaten by a stranger near 15th Avenue and Union Street while "walking home with groceries."

"Some words are exchanged. Then for no apparent reason, the suspect then attacks the victim with a hatchet," he said. "The man lived in the neighborhood, apparently a long-time resident of the neighborhood."

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the attacker fled. Police found Michael La-Rosa, 26, near the scene. After witnesses identified him as the attacker, La-Rosa was taken into custody for investigation of murder.

Whitcomb said police also recovered the murder weapon near the crime scene. Investigators initially believed the man had been beaten with a pickaxe, but later said a hatchet was the murder weapon.

"This kind of attack is totally unexcusable," Whitcomb said. "It's absolutely frightening to anyone who lives in the city and ultimately, it's some small comfort that this person is off the streets."