Los Angeles police have identified Jerrid Joseph Powell as the suspect in the recent killings of three homeless men. Powell was already in custody for another shooting investigation, and a firearm found in his vehicle was linked to the shootings. Authorities are urging homeless individuals to not sleep alone for their own safety. Los Angeles County has a high population of homeless people, with over 75,000 individuals counted in January. Powell is due to appear in court on Monday. The police believe there is no connection between Powell and the victims. Associated Press reported
Los Angeles Man Arrested for Three Recent Killings of Homeless Men
A Los Angeles man, Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, has been identified as the suspect in three recent killings of homeless men, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. Powell was already in custody in connection with another shooting investigation when authorities linked a firearm found in his vehicle to the shootings. The arrest was made by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies for the investigation of a shooting death and robbery of a 42-year-old man in San Dimas, located 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
The announcement of Powell as the suspect came after authorities in Los Angeles urged homeless individuals not to sleep alone for their safety. The three shootings occurred in late November during the early morning hours while the victims were sleeping or preparing to sleep.
The victims of the shootings were identified as Jose Bolanos, 37, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in an alley; Mark Diggs, 62, who was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart; and an unidentified 52-year-old man whose body was found in the Lincoln Heights area.
Los Angeles County, with a population of about 10 million people, has a significant homeless population, accounting for more than one in five of the nation’s homeless individuals. As of the last official count in January, over 75,000 people were homeless in the county on any given night.
After the San Dimas shooting, detectives identified Powell’s vehicle through surveillance footage and tracked him to Beverly Hills, where he was stopped and the firearm was found. Chief Moore expressed gratitude that Powell is in custody and no longer a threat to the community.
Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday and is currently being held on $2 million bail. Authorities are urging the public to provide any additional information related to the case. Chief Moore stated that there is currently no known connection between Powell and the victims.
Chief Moore also highlighted the quick work and collaboration across agencies that led to the identification of the suspect, emphasizing the role of surveillance technology in the investigation. He believes that without access to these tools, Powell would still be at large and potentially harming others.
This announcement comes in the wake of five homeless people being shot, one fatally, in Las Vegas. Police there are currently searching for a lone suspect.
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