Suspect Arrested in Serial Killings of Homeless Men in Los Angeles, Deceased Identified as Nicholas Simbolon

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Serial Killer Arrested in Connection with Homeless Murders in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — Authorities in Los Angeles have apprehended a suspect believed to be responsible for a series of fatal shootings that shook the city over the past week. In a disturbing pattern, all three victims were homeless men who were shot while sleeping alone on the streets or in alleyways. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Jerrid Joseph Powell, was already in custody for an unrelated homicide involving a home robbery.

The killings occurred over a four-day period, from Sunday to Wednesday, prompting law enforcement to issue a public warning about a potential serial killer on Friday. However, just a day later, Powell was taken into custody, bringing a sense of relief to the city. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed gratitude at a press briefing, stating, “Twenty-four hours ago we announced there was a killer on the loose. Now he is in custody.”

Connections between Powell and the three homeless murders were established through his vehicle, which was present at all three crime scenes. Furthermore, a handgun recovered from the vehicle was confirmed to be the murder weapon. Investigators also linked the same vehicle and firearm to the home robbery shooting that occurred earlier in the week.

The victims of the homeless shootings were a 37-year-old man killed on Sunday at approximately 3 a.m., a 62-year-old man attacked on Monday at around 4:55 a.m., and a 52-year-old man murdered on Wednesday at approximately 2:30 a.m. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore emphasized that these men were killed “without provocation,” and a motive for the shootings has yet to be established.

In addition to the homeless murders, Powell is accused of following a victim from a charging station in West Covina to the victim’s home in San Dimas, where he committed a home robbery. During the robbery, Powell senselessly shot the victim, identified as 42-year-old Nicholas Simbolon, who tragically succumbed to his injuries. Simbolon, a father of two, worked as a project manager in the I.T. department of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office.

Law enforcement authorities were able to identify Powell as a suspect in the home robbery shooting through surveillance footage, which captured his vehicle, a 2024 Gray BMW. The vehicle was promptly flagged as “Wanted, Armed and Dangerous” in a law enforcement database. Utilizing an automatic license plate reader system, officers were able to track Powell’s whereabouts, leading to his arrest during a traffic stop in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore commended the use of technology in the rapid capture of the suspect, stating, “Had they not had access to those tools, this individual I am convinced would still be moving about the city, in the region, and killing individuals, innocent individuals, helpless individuals.”

While Powell remains in custody, authorities are investigating the possibility of his involvement in other crimes. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna urged potential victims to come forward, stating, “If anybody believes that they may have been a victim of a crime and this individual perpetrated it, you need to contact us right away.”

The arrest of Jerrid Joseph Powell brings a sense of closure to a city plagued by fear and uncertainty. As Los Angeles mourns the loss of innocent lives, communities can take solace in the fact that the alleged serial killer has been taken off the streets, ensuring the safety of its residents..