Beverly Hills Murder Suspect Accused of Beating Victim with a Metal Object, Running Him Over [WATCH]

A man was killed Friday afternoon in Beverly Hills after being beaten with a metal object and run over by a vehicle during a violent attack that unfolded in broad daylight, according to police, as reported by The New York Post.

Officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department were dispatched shortly after 12:30 p.m. following multiple calls reporting an assault with a weapon near the intersection of Beverly Hills streets Wilshire Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Police said the victim and the suspect were involved in a dispute prior to the attack.

#BREAKING: Beverly Hills, Calif. — A man died Friday after a violent daytime assault near Wilshire Blvd and San Vicente Blvd. He was beaten with a metal object and run over by a vehicle following an argument; 54-year-old suspect Christopher Cornelius was arrested on murder… pic.twitter.com/KU1jwMBSJb

— SafetySwipe (@SafetyNotorious) January 17, 2026

During that confrontation, the suspect struck the victim with a metal object. Authorities later confirmed that the suspect then used the victim’s own vehicle to run him over.

The alleged attacker was identified as Christopher Cornelius, 54, of San Bernardino, according to ABC 7. Investigators said Cornelius drove the vehicle over the victim and dragged his body as witnesses looked on.

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“The relationship between the suspect and the victim is unknown at this time, and the suspect’s identification is pending as this is an active and ongoing investigation,” the Beverly Hills Police Department said in a statement.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Graphic video of the incident circulated on social media following the attack. The footage appeared to show the assault as witnesses could be heard reacting in shock.

Police have not commented on the video but confirmed the sequence of events described by witnesses and initial reports.

Following the incident, Beverly Hills police taped off the northwest corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Hamilton Drive as officers searched the surrounding area.

Cornelius was located inside a nearby structure and taken into custody without incident.

He was booked on a murder charge, and his bail was set at $2 million. Police said Cornelius has an “extensive criminal record,” including prior violent crimes, according to ABC 7.

The killing marked a rare homicide in a city that has recently reported declining crime totals.

NEW: Man with an “extensive criminal” record accused of fatally beating and running over a man in Beverly Hills

Police say Christopher Cornelius, 54, struck the victim multiple times with a metal object, then ran him over with his car

Video shows a white car driving the wrong… pic.twitter.com/J4CzMMLS9d

— Unlimited L’s (@unlimited_ls) January 17, 2026

Data released by the Beverly Hills Police Department shows that overall reported crime in the city fell by approximately 14 percent in 2024 compared with the previous year.

Violent crime, including robbery and assault, also trended downward.

In December 2024, police reported just seven violent crime incidents and no homicides. However, officials noted that residential burglaries have increased, even as other crime categories declined.

The investigation into Friday’s killing remains ongoing. Police have not released additional details about what led to the confrontation or how the suspect and victim came into contact.

Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the Beverly Hills Police Department at (310) 550-4951.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can text TIP BHPDALERT followed by the tip information to 888777. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or via lacrimestoppers.org.

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