"This is insane, very insane and scary. I do not come out late, but that is scary. I think it is a freak or something," said Felicia Woods, a Lancaster resident.
Deputies say that the body of 62-year-old Angel Martinez was found in the middle of the street at Avenue K and East 13th Street at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday.
Witnesses at first thought Martinez had been run over by a car.
"I got out of the car and I saw blood running off his body. As soon as the police, the paramedics and fire department got here they touched him, rolled him over and then we saw the arrow in the chest," said Kenneth Elliott, a witness.
Deputies say that Martinez lived in Lancaster. Neighbors say that they would often see him walking in the area.
Authorities say that this is the first time they have seen an arrow used as a murder weapon.
"Sine being assigned to the sheriff's homicide bureau this is the first time I have ever found anybody with an arrow die as a result of an arrow. Not to say that this does not happen accidentally in hunting accidents, but this is the first time I have ever seen a murder," said Lt. Gil Carrillo, L.A. Co. Sheriff's Dept.
For residents it yet another reason to be careful while walking the streets.
"Now a days you hear guns. I don't know what to say about a bow and arrow," said Robin Clement, a Lancaster resident.
"I mean a bow and arrow, you can understand a gun. Who know what is going on," said Boimah Kiasola, a Palmdale resident.
Martinez was at first thought to be homeless but authorities said that was not true. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information is urged to call the L.A. County Sheriff's Department at 323-890-5500.
Eyewitness News reporters Subha Ravindhran and Amy Powell contributed to this report.
