Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles man who was already in custody for another shooting investigation has been identified as the suspect in the recent killings of three homeless men, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The suspect, identified as 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.
Powell was apprehended earlier this week by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies in connection with 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.
The announcement comes after authorities in Los Angeles had been searching for a suspect in the shootings of three homeless men. In response, they urged 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 either sleeping or preparing to settle down for the night.
The victims have been identified as Jose Bolanos, 37, who 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 Los Angeles. The third homeless shooting occurred in the Lincoln Heights area, where the body of a 52-year-old man was discovered on Wednesday around 2:30 a.m. The identity of the third victim has not been disclosed pending notification of family members.
Los Angeles County, with a population of approximately 10 million people, has one of the highest homeless populations in the nation. According to a federal tally conducted in 2022, the county is home to more than one in five of the country’s homeless population, with over 75,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
Following the San Dimas shooting, investigators were able to identify Powell’s vehicle through surveillance footage. They subsequently tracked the vehicle to Beverly Hills, where Powell was apprehended. During the arrest, authorities discovered the firearm that was linked to the three killings.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore expressed his gratitude that Powell is now in custody, stating that he is no longer a threat to the community. Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, and it is currently unknown whether he has legal representation. He is being held on $2 million bail.
Moore urged the public to provide any additional information related to the case. He also emphasized that authorities do not believe there is any connection between Powell and the victims. The swift identification and arrest of the suspect were made possible through the collaboration of various agencies and the use of surveillance technology.
This announcement comes on the heels of another tragic incident in Las Vegas, where five homeless people were shot on Friday, one of whom succumbed to their injuries. Las Vegas police are currently searching for a lone suspect in connection with the shootings.