Assault victim dies, roommate charged with attempted murder and elder abuse

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A man is in custody on charges of elder abuse and attempted murder after assaulting his roommate, according to Bakersfield police.

Officials say on May 9 around 8 a.m. they answered to a home on Dore Drive in South Bakersfield for an assault victim. When cops arrived they found 68-year-old Lawrence Olivas unresponsive and suffering from major injuries. Olivas was taken to a local hospital in critical condition before dying three days later.

Bakersfield police determined that 42-year-old Paul Lujan, Olivas' roomate, is responsible for the alleged assault. Lujan was arrested and later booked for charges which included elder abuse and attempted murder. In addition to elder abuse, investigators are seeking to charge Lujan with murder.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.