The victims or deceased names from the given information are: 1. Jose Bolanos, 37 2. Mark Diggs, 62 3. Unidentified 52-year-old man 4. Nicholas Simbolon, 42 : “Charges Filed Against Suspect in Fatal Shootings of Homeless Men in Los Angeles”

Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Prosecutors have officially charged Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, in connection with the fatal shootings of three homeless men in Los Angeles and a suburban resident last month. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced four counts of murder against Powell, along with additional charges of residential robbery and being a felon with a firearm. Powell appeared in court on Monday with his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido, but did not enter a plea. The arraignment has been continued to January 8.

The charges against Powell include special circumstances such as committing multiple murders, murder in the course of a robbery, and personal use of a firearm allegations. Powell was initially arrested last week as a suspect in a deadly shooting during a robbery in San Dimas, located east of Los Angeles. It was later discovered that a firearm found in his car was linked to the killings of the three homeless men.

The motive behind the killings of the homeless victims remains unknown, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore. The victims include Jose Bolanos, 37, who was found dead with a gunshot wound in South Los Angeles on November 26; Mark Diggs, 62, who was shot and killed near downtown on November 27; and an unidentified 52-year-old man found dead in the Lincoln Heights area on November 29. Additionally, Nicholas Simbolon, 42, was shot dead at his home in San Dimas on November 28.

Powell’s arrest came after surveillance images of a suspect vehicle and a license plate reader alert in Beverly Hills led to a traffic stop. The public defender’s office released a statement emphasizing their commitment to a vigorous defense, stating that “Mr. Powell remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.” District Attorney George Gascón expressed gratitude to law enforcement, stating, “The swift actions of law enforcement undoubtedly saved lives this week.” If convicted on all charges, Powell faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

It is worth noting that Los Angeles County, home to over 10 million people, is currently facing a significant homelessness crisis, with over 75,000 people homeless across the county as of the last official count in January 2022. Advocates for the homeless highlight the vulnerability of those living on the streets to violence.

In a separate incident, five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas on Friday, with one fatality. However, Las Vegas police have ruled out any correlation with the shootings in Los Angeles. This serves as a reminder of the persistent risks faced by homeless populations, as a similar series of stabbings targeting homeless men occurred in Orange County, California from late 2011 to early 2012.

Leave a Comment