Jerrid Powell Charged with Murder in Killing of Four Men, Including Three Unhoused Victims

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Man Charged with Murder of Homeless Men in Los Angeles and San Dimas

The man accused of killing three unhoused men in Los Angeles and another victim in San Dimas, California, over a four-day span last week was formally charged with murder on Monday. Jerrid Powell, 33, appeared before a judge and was charged with four counts of murder, one count of residential robbery, and one count of being a felon with a firearm.

LA District Attorney George Gascón stated that Powell also faces special circumstances of allegedly committing multiple murders and murder in the course of a robbery, as well as suspected personal use of a firearm. Powell’s public attorney waived his right to a speedy trial, and his formal arraignment and plea are scheduled for January 8. He will remain in jail without bail.

The series of killings took place between November 26 and November 29, and Powell was linked to the crimes by Los Angeles investigators on Saturday. According to the investigators, Powell allegedly shot three unhoused men who were either sleeping on the street or in an alleyway on November 26, November 27, and November 29. The victims were identified as a 37-year-old man, a 62-year-old man, and a 52-year-old man.

Additionally, on November 28, Powell allegedly followed Nicholas Simbolon into his garage, robbed him of his belongings, and shot him. Simbolon, 42, was a father of two and worked as a project manager in the I.T. department of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office.

Powell was arrested late on November 29 following a traffic stop in Beverly Hills and was booked the next day. The arrest was made possible by using an automatic license plate reader system for a 2024 gray BMW to track the suspect’s whereabouts. Surveillance footage from Simbolon’s murder also played a crucial role in the investigation.

“The swift actions of law enforcement undoubtedly saved lives this week,” stated Gascón, commending the efforts of investigators. The motive behind the killings is still unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.

If convicted, Powell could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The case highlights the ongoing issue of violence against the homeless population and the need for increased support and protection for vulnerable individuals.

[Image Source: Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times, Pool/AP]

ABC News’ Meredith Deliso, Jaclyn Lee, and Christian Calderon contributed to this report..