Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : LOS ANGELES — Police have identified a Los Angeles man who is in custody for another shooting investigation as the suspect in three recent killings of homeless men. Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, was linked to the killings after a firearm found in a vehicle he was driving during his arrest was determined to be connected to the shootings, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.
Powell was apprehended earlier this week by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies for the shooting death and robbery of a 42-year-old man in the community of San Dimas, located about 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Authorities made the announcement a day after revealing that they were searching for a suspect in the shootings and urging homeless individuals to avoid sleeping alone for their own safety. The shootings occurred at the end of November during the early morning hours while the victims were sleeping or preparing for the night.
The first victim, Jose Bolanos, 37, was found dead with a gunshot wound in an alley in South Los Angeles on November 26. The following day, Mark Diggs, 62, was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart near downtown. The third homeless man, a 52-year-old, was found dead in the Lincoln Heights area on Wednesday.
Los Angeles County has the largest population in the United States and is home to more than one in five of the nation’s homeless individuals. The county had over 75,000 homeless people as of the last official count in January.
Following 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 discovered. Moore expressed gratitude that Powell is now in custody and no longer a threat to the community. Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday and is being held on $2 million bail.
Moore urged the public to provide any additional information and stated that authorities do not believe there is any connection between Powell and the victims. He credited the quick identification of the suspect to collaboration between agencies and the use of surveillance technology.
The announcement of Powell’s arrest comes after five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas on Friday, with one fatality. Police in Las Vegas are currently searching for a lone suspect in that case.