Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Los Angeles Man Arrested in Connection with Recent Killings of Unhoused Men
A Los Angeles man has been identified as the suspect in three recent killings of unhoused men, according to the Los Angeles police chief, Michel Moore. The suspect, 33-year-old Jerrid Joseph Powell, was already under arrest in another shooting investigation when authorities linked a firearm found in the vehicle he had been driving to the shootings.
Powell was arrested earlier this week by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies for the shooting death and robbery of a 42-year-old man whom he had followed home. The announcement of his connection to the three killings came a day after authorities announced that they were searching for a suspect in the shootings, which occurred at the end of November while the victims were sleeping or preparing to turn in 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 around 3am. The following day, Mark Diggs, 62, was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart near downtown around 5am. The third shooting took place on November 29 around 2:30am in the Lincoln Heights area, where the body of a 52-year-old man was found.
Detectives were able to identify Powell’s vehicle through surveillance footage, which led them to track him to the city of Beverly Hills. Police stopped him and found a firearm inside the vehicle, leading to his arrest.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her gratitude that the suspect was in custody, stating, “Living in the streets is dangerous, and violence is certainly one of the causes of death among unhoused individuals.” Despite common misconceptions, research has shown that unhoused people are more likely to be victims of assault, robbery, and homicide than those who are housed.
Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, and he is currently being held on $2 million bail. It is unclear at this time if he has retained an attorney.
The arrest of Powell brings some relief to the Los Angeles community, as authorities work to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents.