While the suspect believed to be responsible for Kessler’s injuries has not been publicly identified, authorities have been in contact with a suspect.

“Yesterday afternoon detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect and the suspect’s residence. At 4:58 PM, detectives conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle driven by the suspect in the city of Simi Valley. The suspect was detained, and until completion of the search warrant and was released at 6:15 PM,” Fryhoff continued.

“During the detention of the suspect, detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in the city of Moorpark. I cannot comment on the results of that search warrant as the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesperson said while adding authorities “have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime, and this is being investigated as a homicide.”

[Ya think? I’m not a big fan of the ‘hate crime’ designation, but if we have to have it, then this has to qualify — or nothing does. — Ed]