Prosecutors filed charges on Monday against 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 CountyDistrict Attorney’s Office announced four counts of murder, along with additional charges of residential robbery and being a felon with a firearm. Powell, who appeared in court on Monday with his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Carlos Bido, did not enter a plea.The arraignment was continued to January 8.
The charges 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, east of Los Angeles. Subsequently, he was identified as a suspect in the killings of the three homeless men when a firearm found in his car was linked to those shootings.
The motive for the killings of the homeless victims remains unknown, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.
The victims include Jose Bolanos, 37, found dead with a gunshot wound in South Los Angeles on Nov. 26; Mark Diggs, 62, shot and killed near downtown on Nov. 27; and an unidentified 52-year-old man found dead in the Lincoln Heights area on Nov. 29. Additionally, Nicholas Simbolon, 42, was shot dead at his home in San Dimas on Nov. 28.
Powell’s arrest followed surveillance images of a suspect vehicle and a license plate reader alert in Beverly Hills, leading to a traffic stop.
In a statement, the public defender’s office emphasized a commitment to a vigorous defense, stating, “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.
Los Angeles County, home to more than 10 million people, faces 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 ruled out any correlation with the Los Angeles shootings. In Orange County, California, a man previously faced charges for killing four homeless men in a series of stabbings from late 2011 to early 2012, underscoring the persistent risks faced by homeless populations.
(with inputs from AP)
The charges 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, east of Los Angeles. Subsequently, he was identified as a suspect in the killings of the three homeless men when a firearm found in his car was linked to those shootings.
The motive for the killings of the homeless victims remains unknown, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.
The victims include Jose Bolanos, 37, found dead with a gunshot wound in South Los Angeles on Nov. 26; Mark Diggs, 62, shot and killed near downtown on Nov. 27; and an unidentified 52-year-old man found dead in the Lincoln Heights area on Nov. 29. Additionally, Nicholas Simbolon, 42, was shot dead at his home in San Dimas on Nov. 28.
Powell’s arrest followed surveillance images of a suspect vehicle and a license plate reader alert in Beverly Hills, leading to a traffic stop.
In a statement, the public defender’s office emphasized a commitment to a vigorous defense, stating, “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.
Los Angeles County, home to more than 10 million people, faces 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 ruled out any correlation with the Los Angeles shootings. In Orange County, California, a man previously faced charges for killing four homeless men in a series of stabbings from late 2011 to early 2012, underscoring the persistent risks faced by homeless populations.
(with inputs from AP)
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