Suspect Christopher Cornelius, 54, was taken into custody on Jan. 16. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

On Jan. 21, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged 54-year-old San Bernardino resident Christopher Cornelius with one count of murder for a Jan. 16 homicide near Wilshire and San Vicente boulevards in Beverly Hills.

Cornelius faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a 63-year-old victim, John Okiyefa.

Police said an investigation determined that the two men became involved in a verbal altercation near the intersection. During the argument, Cornelius struck Okiyefa multiple times with a metal hammer. He then entered his vehicle and drove over Okiyefa.  According to the criminal complaint, Cornelius was attempting to rob the victim when they became engaged in the altercation.

Video shared on social media appeared to show a white sedan running over Okiyefa on Wilshire Boulevard.

“The victim was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and despite extensive life-saving efforts by medical staff, he later died from his injuries,” the BHPD said in a statement.

The BHPD said it received multiple calls reporting the incident at approximately 12:42 p.m. and arrived within two minutes. According to the BHPD, Cornelius fled into a nearby building and was quickly found and taken into custody without incident.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., BHPD officers had taped off the northwest corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Hamilton Drive. A man appeared to be in custody in the back of a BHPD vehicle. Several BHPD officers were seen entering a parking structure at 8447 Wilshire Blvd.

Cornelius was booked into BHPD jail on suspicion of murder and his bail was set at $2 million. Cornelius has an extensive criminal record including previous convictions for attempted robbery and robbery.

The defendant’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 26 at the LAX Courthouse.