A man who police believe was likely a transient died from a self-inflicted stab wound after allegedly murdering a resident in Beverly Grove on March 29.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division received a call about a burglary in progress in the 6600 block of Maryland Drive at approximately 4:30 p.m., police said. When they arrived, neighbors directed officers to a residence where they found a male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics responded and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Det. Sean Kinchla, with the LAPD’s West Bureau Homicide Unit, said the victim was 31 years old. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner identified the victim as Gabriel Donnay.

After finding the victim, officers established a perimeter and searched for a suspect, Kinchla said. They located another man’s body in the yard of a residence in the 6600 block of Fifth Street, just north of the house where the victim was found. The second man was also suffering from a stab wound and police believe he stabbed himself. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. He was identified by the coroner’s office as Enoch Connors, 33.

Police do not have an exact motive for the crime. They surmise it was a murder committed during a burglary.

“It appears the victim and the suspect were not known to each other,” he said. “There is nothing to suggest it is anything other than an isolated incident.”

The murder and suspect’s death have caused concern in the neighborhood. Some claim there has been an increase in the number of unhoused individuals in the area and they are worried about crimes.

“This is very concerning. It’s unacceptable,” said a Maryland Drive resident who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s outrageous. A lot of us don’t know what happened and still don’t know.”

Capt. Shannon Paulson, with the Wilshire Division, said previously that an encampment around a Metro subway construction site near San Vicente and Wilshire boulevards was recently removed. Police did not make a connection between the suspect and encampments or other unhoused individuals in the area, but Kinchla said the suspect appears to have been homeless.

The LAPD’s Media Relations Division confirmed that officers had been in contact with the suspect in the neighborhood two hours prior to the stabbing but were unable to arrest or detain him because, at that time, they couldn’t verify a crime had occurred and he didn’t appear to be a danger to himself or others.

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, called the homicide tragic and said he supports efforts to preserve public safety.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends during this very devastating time,” Koretz said in a statement. “The Los Angeles Police Department continues to have my complete support for full enforcement in the region. That includes for those who trespass or engage in any level of criminal behavior. Maintaining peace, safety and order is the utmost priority. Please continue to be vigilant.”

Greg Martayan, director of public safety for Koretz, also tried to allay fears in the community. He said he was in frequent contact with the LAPD during the investigation and had spoken to neighbors at the scene shortly after the murder.

Martayan said the councilman asked for more police patrols in the area and the LAPD granted the request. Martayan also said it had yet to be determined where the victim came from prior to the murder and it is not known how long he had been in the area.

He added that the council office will continue to work with the LAPD and other city agencies to ensure the needs of residents are met.

“I was speaking to people all day and shooting emails back and forth to folks. I want to assure people that we take this incredibly seriously,” Martayan said. “We will be working with the LAPD and the departments of Building and Safety, Street Services, Sanitation and the LADOT to facilitate solutions to these problems throughout the district.”

Martayan said he planned to canvass the neighborhood where the murder occurred with LAPD officers today to speak with residents and offer further assurance.

“We want people to know that this is very important to us,” he added. “My being on the ground there is about providing support and letting people know we are there for them.”