Los Angeles Police Identify Suspect in Murders of Three Homeless Victims

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Police in Los Angeles have successfully identified the suspect believed to be responsible for the brutal murders of three members of the city’s homeless community, who were fatally shot as they slept earlier this week. The Los Angeles Police Chief, Michel Moore, made the announcement on Saturday, revealing that the suspect has been identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, a 33-year-old Black male who resides in Los Angeles.

Chief Moore also disclosed that Powell is a suspect in a separate robbery that took place in San Dimas, located approximately 28 miles east of Los Angeles. Powell was already in custody in connection with this shooting, as he was apprehended on Wednesday evening by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during a routine vehicle stop. Remarkably, this arrest occurred on the same day as the third homeless victim’s death.

The vehicle that police believe was used in the San Dimas robbery was subsequently identified as the same vehicle linked to the three homicides, according to Chief Moore. However, officials have clarified that there is no apparent connection between Powell and the victim of the robbery, as confirmed by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna on Saturday. Despite these developments, the motive behind these heinous acts remains unknown.

“I am grateful that this suspect in this case is in custody and no longer a threat to our community,” expressed Chief Moore, emphasizing the relief felt by local authorities. The first killing in Los Angeles occurred in an alley around 3 a.m. on Sunday, while the second took place shortly before 5 a.m. on Monday. The third victim was killed on Wednesday at approximately 2:30 a.m. The victims include two Hispanic men, aged 37 and 52, and a 62-year-old Black man, as disclosed by Chief Moore.

Chief Moore further elaborated that each killing in the Los Angeles area happened under similar circumstances. The victims were believed to be alone and asleep when they were attacked. The assailant allegedly approached each victim, opened fire, and then calmly walked away. All three victims were homeless individuals who were attacked in open areas such as sidewalks or alleys. One of the locations where these tragic events unfolded was near Skid Row, a downtown area known for its substantial homeless population.

Mayor Karen Bass, representing the City of Los Angeles, expressed her concern for the homeless community in the wake of these killings. Los Angeles is home to one of the largest unhoused populations in the country, and the mayor highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by this vulnerable group every day. Shockingly, four to five unhoused individuals die daily in Los Angeles due to various reasons, including violence.

Following the news conference on Friday, Mayor Bass’s office organized a meeting with over 400 participants from city departments, housing service providers, regional agencies, and elected officials. The purpose of this gathering was to address the threat faced by the unhoused community and ensure that individuals are made aware of the danger they may encounter.

In an unrelated incident, a shooting occurred at a homeless encampment in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that this incident does not appear to be connected to the fatal shootings in the Los Angeles area.

This story is still developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available..