Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Four fatal shootings occurred in the Los Angeles area this week, resulting in the tragic deaths of three men who were experiencing homelessness. These unprovoked killings have been linked to one suspect, according to the police.
The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jerrid Joseph Powell, was apprehended on Saturday in connection with the murders of the three unhoused men. Each victim was shot while sleeping alone on a sidewalk or in an alley in Los Angeles, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Authorities revealed that Powell was already in custody for another homicide that took place in Los Angeles County earlier in the week, involving a home robbery. The series of serial killings took place over a four-day period, from Sunday to Wednesday. Powell was taken into custody on Thursday in relation to the robbery, providing some relief to the community.
Investigators discovered that Powell’s vehicle was present at all three homicide scenes involving the unhoused men. Furthermore, a handgun recovered from the vehicle was positively identified as the murder weapon. This evidence also connected Powell to the home robbery shooting. The Los Angeles Police Department released images of the suspect’s vehicle during a press conference, urging the public to come forward with any information.
The first victim, a 37-year-old unhoused man, was killed on Sunday at approximately 3 a.m. The second victim, a 62-year-old man, was attacked around 4:55 a.m. on Monday. Finally, the third victim, a 52-year-old man, lost his life around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore stated that the men were murdered without any provocation, emphasizing the brutality of these crimes.
In addition to the unhoused men, Powell is also accused of a home-robbery shooting that occurred on Tuesday. Following the victim from a charging station in West Covina to the victim’s home in San Dimas, Powell allegedly took the victim’s personal belongings before senselessly shooting him and fleeing the scene.
The victim, 42-year-old Nicholas Simbolon, tragically died from his injuries. Simbolon was a father of two and worked as a project manager in the I.T. department of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office. Detectives were able to identify a vehicle of interest from surveillance footage, a 2024 Gray BMW, which was flagged as “Wanted, Armed and Dangerous” in a law enforcement database.
Thanks to an automatic license plate reader system, authorities were able to locate and apprehend Powell during a traffic stop in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night. He was booked early Thursday on charges of robbery and murder and is currently being held on $2.1 million bail.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass commended the efforts of law enforcement in swiftly apprehending the suspect, stating, “Twenty-four hours ago we announced there was a killer on the loose. Now he is in custody.” However, authorities are still investigating whether Powell may be connected to other cases, urging potential victims to come forward with information.
These senseless killings have shaken the Los Angeles community, and the investigation continues as authorities work to bring justice to the victims and their families. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the vulnerability faced by those experiencing homelessness and the importance of ensuring their safety and well-being.