Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Four individuals were tragically shot and killed in the Los Angeles area this week, in a series of attacks that have now been linked to a single suspect, according to local law enforcement. The victims, all of whom were experiencing homelessness, were shot while they slept alone on sidewalks or in alleys. The suspect, identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, was arrested for the murders and was already in custody for another homicide involving a home robbery.
The killings took place over a four-day period, from Sunday to Wednesday, and authorities announced on Friday that they were searching for a potential serial killer. However, within 24 hours of the announcement, Powell was apprehended. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed relief during a press briefing, stating, “Now he is in custody.”
Law enforcement officials discovered that Powell’s vehicle was present at all three crime scenes where the unhoused men were killed. Additionally, a handgun recovered from the vehicle was confirmed to be the murder weapon. Both the vehicle and the firearm were also connected to the home robbery shooting.
The first victim, a 37-year-old man, was killed early Sunday morning, followed by the second victim, a 62-year-old man, on Monday. The third victim, a 52-year-old man, lost his life on Wednesday. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore emphasized that these murders were carried out “without provocation” and that the motive remains unknown.
In a separate incident, Powell targeted a 42-year-old man, Nicholas Simbolon, during a home robbery on Tuesday. Simbolon, a father of two and an employee of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, was shot and killed. Surveillance footage led detectives to identify a vehicle of interest, a 2024 Gray BMW, which was flagged as “Wanted, Armed and Dangerous.” Thanks to an automatic license plate reader system, Powell was apprehended during a traffic stop in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna urged anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Powell’s crimes to come forward and report their experiences. Authorities are currently investigating whether the suspect may be connected to additional cases.
The swift apprehension of Powell has brought a sense of relief to the community, with Chief Moore acknowledging the vital role that law enforcement tools, such as surveillance footage and license plate reader systems, played in capturing the suspect. By utilizing these resources, innocent lives were potentially saved, and the city was spared further violence.