Man killed by roommate in Southern California rehab facility, police say

Police were investigating a murder at an Irvine addiction treatment home on July 8, 2024. (KTLA)

An Indiana man is in custody after allegedly killing a roommate at an Irvine rehab facility Monday morning.

Irvine police posted on X, formerly Twitter, that a homicide had occurred near Tyler Place and Boulder Creek Way. Police spokesman Kyle Oldoerp confirmed to KTLA that the scene of the death was a six-person rehab facility and that police were called shortly after 6 a.m.

The victim, an 18-year-old man whose identity has not been released, was found with serious injuries, including blunt force trauma. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The suspected killer, 24-year-old Baxton Tysean Hill, fled the scene but was arrested by the California Highway Patrol near Barstow shortly before 9 a.m., Oldoerp said.

Both Hill and the victim lived at the home for addicts and were believed to be roommates, police said. The attack occurred in one of the bedrooms at the home, Oldoerp said.

A possible motive has not yet been announced and the exact cause of death remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call 949-724-7000.

Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.