Los Angeles Man Arrested in Connection with Recent Killings of Homeless Men

Accident – Death – Obituary News : LOS ANGELES – Police have announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with the recent killings of three homeless men in Los Angeles. Jerrid Joseph Powell, a 33-year-old man from Los Angeles, has been identified as the prime suspect in these brutal crimes.

The Los Angeles Police Chief, Michel Moore, revealed that Powell was already in custody in relation to another shooting investigation when authorities discovered a firearm in a vehicle he was driving. Forensic analysis confirmed that this weapon was linked to the shootings of the homeless men.

Powell was apprehended earlier this week by Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies, who were investigating the shooting and robbery death of a 42-year-old man in the San Dimas community, located approximately 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

This arrest comes just one day after Los Angeles authorities released a statement, urging homeless individuals not to sleep alone for their own safety. The shootings occurred towards the end of November, during the early hours of the morning, when the victims were either sleeping or preparing to settle 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. The following day, Mark Diggs, 62, was shot and killed while pushing a shopping cart near downtown. The third homeless shooting occurred on Wednesday, with the body of a 52-year-old man discovered in the Lincoln Heights area. The police have yet to release the identity of this victim, pending notification of family members.

Los Angeles County has the highest population in the United States, with approximately 10 million people. It is also home to more than one in five of the nation’s homeless individuals, according to a federal count in 2022. The official count in January revealed that over 75,000 people were homeless across the county on any given night.

Following the San Dimas shooting, detectives were able to identify Powell’s vehicle through surveillance footage. They then tracked the vehicle to Beverly Hills, where the police conducted a traffic stop and discovered the firearm inside.

“I am thankful that the suspect in this case is in custody and is no longer a threat to this community,” stated Chief Moore during a press conference.

Powell is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, and it is currently unclear whether he has legal representation. Online jail records indicate that he was arrested on Thursday and is being held on bail set at $2 million.

Chief Moore has called on the public to provide any additional information they may have. At this stage, authorities do not believe there is a connection between Powell and the victims.

The investigation has been a collaborative effort across multiple agencies, with the aid of surveillance technology. Chief Moore emphasized the importance of these tools in swiftly identifying the suspect and preventing further harm.

In a related incident, five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas on Friday, one of whom tragically succumbed to their injuries. Police are currently searching for a suspect in that case as well..