A Los Angeles man already in custody for another shooting is now identified as the suspect in the recent killings of three homeless men. Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, was linked to the shootings through a firearm found in his vehicle. Authorities urge the public to provide any additional information. The_Japan_News reported
Los Angeles Man Arrested in Connection with Three Recent Killings of Homeless Men
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Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook, left, Mayor Karen Bass and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announce the arrest of a suspect in three recent killings of homeless men, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles.
13:32 JST, December 3, 2023
In a significant development, Los Angeles police announced on Saturday that a 33-year-old man, Jerrid Joseph Powell, already in custody for another shooting investigation, has been identified as the suspect in three recent killings of homeless men. The identification was made after authorities discovered that a firearm found in Powell’s vehicle, which was connected to the shootings, during his earlier arrest. This revelation brings a sense of relief to the community as Powell is now in custody and no longer poses a threat.
The arrest of Powell took place earlier this week when Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies detained him on suspicion of shooting and robbing a 42-year-old man in the community of San Dimas, located around 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Following this arrest, investigators were able to identify Powell’s vehicle through surveillance footage and subsequently tracked it to Beverly Hills, where he was stopped by the police. Inside the vehicle, law enforcement found the firearm that was linked to the three homeless killings.
According to Los Angeles authorities, the three shootings occurred in November, targeting homeless individuals during the early morning hours while they were asleep or preparing to sleep. The first victim, Jose Bolanos, aged 37, was found dead with a gunshot wound in an alley in South Los Angeles on November 26 at around 3 a.m. The next day, Mark Diggs, aged 62, was shot and killed around 5 a.m. while pushing a shopping cart near downtown Los Angeles. The third homeless shooting took place on November 29 at approximately 2:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Heights area, where the body of a 52-year-old man was discovered. The police are yet to release the identity of the third victim, pending notification of family members.
Los Angeles County, with a population of approximately 10 million people, is home to over one-fifth of the nation’s homeless population, as reported in a federal tally from 2022. The county had more than 75,000 homeless people on any given night as of January, according to the last official count. These statistics highlight the urgency and significance of solving crimes against the homeless population.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore expressed gratitude that Powell, the suspect in these killings, is now in custody, ensuring the safety of the community. Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, and he currently faces charges related to these shootings. It is currently unknown who his attorney is. He is being held on $2 million bail, according to online jail records.
Chief Moore urged the public to come forward with any additional information that may aid the investigation. He stated that the authorities do not believe there is any personal connection between Powell and the victims. The swift identification and apprehension of the suspect were made possible by the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and the use of advanced surveillance technology.
While the arrest of Powell brings some relief, it is important to note that on Friday, five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas, one of them fatally. Authorities in Las Vegas are currently searching for a lone suspect in connection with these shootings.
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