Serial Killer Targeting Homeless Victims in Los Angeles Linked to One Suspect, Jerrid Joseph Powell

Four fatal shootings that took place in Los Angeles this week have been connected to one suspect, according to police. The victims included three men who were experiencing homelessness and were killed in unprovoked attacks while sleeping alone on the streets or in alleys. The suspect, identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, was arrested on Saturday for these killings. Powell was already in custody for another homicide related to a home robbery that occurred earlier in the week.

The series of murders occurred over four days, from Sunday to Wednesday. Authorities announced on Friday that they were searching for a potential serial killer responsible for the deaths of the unhoused men. However, within 24 hours, Powell was apprehended. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed relief at the arrest during a press briefing.

The investigation revealed that Powell’s vehicle was present at all three homicide scenes, and a handgun recovered from the vehicle was positively identified as the murder weapon. Both the vehicle and the handgun were also linked to the home robbery shooting.

The first victim, a 37-year-old unhoused man, was killed on Sunday at around 3 a.m. The second victim, aged 62, was attacked on Monday at approximately 4:55 a.m., and the third victim, a 52-year-old man, was killed on Wednesday around 2:30 a.m. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore stated that the men were killed without provocation, and a motive for the shootings has not yet been established.

In addition to the unhoused men, Powell is accused of following a victim from a charging station to their home and shooting them during a robbery. The victim, Nicholas Simbolon, a 42-year-old father of two who worked as a project manager in the I.T. department for the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office, succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities are now investigating whether Powell may be connected to other cases. The suspect is currently being held on $2.1 million bail and has been booked for robbery and murder. Los Angeles Police Chief Moore emphasized the importance of the tools used in Powell’s apprehension and urged anyone who believes they may have been a victim of his crimes to come forward.