Inset: Varun Suresh (Fremont Police Department). Background: Location of the attack where Suresh killed a 71-year-old man in Fremont, California (Google Maps).
A man from California is accused of vigilante justice after identifying a person on the sex offender registry, visiting his residence under the guise of being an accountant, and murdering him.
The Fremont Police Department detailed in a press release that its officers received a 911 call just before midday on Thursday regarding a “violent altercation” between two individuals, one of whom sustained “grave injuries,” on the 600 block of Upper Vinters Circle. Officers arrived to discover a 71-year-old male on the ground with “severe stab wounds.” He was declared dead at the scene.
Officers identified the suspect, 29-year-old Varun Suresh, who remained at the location with a knife in hand. He allegedly informed investigators that he targeted sex offenders with the intent to harm them. He confessed to pursuing the victim as he attempted to flee and delivering multiple stab wounds outside a nearby residence.
The local Fox affiliate KTVU obtained a probable cause arrest affidavit that named the victim as David Brimmer. Records indicate Brimmer was convicted in 1995 of committing lewd acts with a child and had been released from prison in 2004.
Following his apprehension, Suresh reportedly expressed to detectives that he believes sex offenders “deserve to die” and had harbored a desire to kill one for years because “they harm children.” He claimed he discovered Brimmer’s information through California’s Megan’s Law website, which serves as the state’s sex offender registry.
The accused murderer reportedly said he pretended to be a CPA, even carrying a bag, notebook and coffee to look the part and knocking on Brimmer’s neighbor’s door to appear legitimate.
He then went to Brimmer’s door and he answered. Suresh recognized Brimmer from his picture on the site and once the victim confirmed his identity, Suresh began his attack. Brimmer ran down the street to escape. As Suresh gave chase, he reportedly asked Brimmer if he “believes in God” and told him he should “get his last words in.”
Brimmer ran to a neighbor’s house and frantically asked for someone to let him inside. A neighbor did let him in, but Suresh allegedly pushed his way inside and stabbed the victim in the neck. Brimmer ran back outside and collapsed on the front lawn. Suresh pinned Brimmer to the ground and continued to stab him in the neck, the affidavit reportedly said.
The victim again tried to escape, but Suresh cut his throat, according to cops.
“I wanted to make sure it was done,” Suresh reportedly told detectives.
Suresh reportedly said he expected to be arrested but felt “it should be cool” because “everyone hates pedophiles.” He said the ordeal was “honestly really fun.”
The defendant is facing a murder charge and is at the Alameda County Jail without bond.
