By Sara Smart and Raja Razek, CNN
Police in Los Angeles have identified the suspect believed to be responsible for the murders of three individuals from the city’s homeless community. The victims were shot and killed while they slept this week, according to Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
The suspect has been identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, a 33-year-old Black man and resident of Los Angeles. Authorities also suspect Powell in a fatal shooting that occurred during a robbery in San Dimas, located about 28 miles east of Los Angeles. Powell was already under custody in connection with the San Dimas shooting when he was arrested on Wednesday evening by the Beverly Hills Police Department.
The vehicle used in the San Dimas robbery was identified as the same vehicle linked to the three homicides, according to Moore. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna stated on Saturday that there appears to be no connection between Powell and the robbery victim.
As of now, no motive has been determined for the murders. Chief Moore expressed gratitude for Powell’s arrest, stating that he is no longer a threat to the community.
The first killing in Los Angeles occurred in an alley at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, followed by the second killing on Monday shortly before 5 a.m. The third victim was killed on Wednesday around 2:30 a.m. The victims include two Hispanic men aged 37 and 52, as well as a 62-year-old Black man, according to Moore.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
Chief Moore also revealed that each killing took place under similar circumstances. The victims were found alone and asleep when they were attacked. The perpetrator approached each victim while they slept, opened fire, and then walked away. All of the victims were homeless individuals killed in open areas such as sidewalks or alleys.
The locations of the killings varied throughout the city, with one occurring near Skid Row, a downtown area known for its large homeless population.
Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the dangerous conditions faced by the homeless community in Los Angeles. The city, home to one of the largest unhoused populations in the country, witnesses four to five deaths among the homeless population every day, including those resulting from violence.
In response to these incidents, Mayor Bass’s office organized a meeting with over 400 representatives from city departments, housing service providers, regional agencies, and elected officials. The aim was to raise awareness about the threat facing the unhoused community and ensure appropriate measures are taken to address the situation.
In unrelated news, a shooting at a homeless encampment in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon does not appear to be connected to the fatal shootings in Los Angeles, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
