Prosecutors have filed charges against a man in Los Angeles for the murder of three homeless men and a suburban resident last month. Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, is facing four counts of murder, along with charges of residential robbery and being a felon with a firearm. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office stated that Powell also faces special circumstances for committing multiple murders, murder during a robbery, and personal use of a firearm.
Powell was arrested last week as a suspect in a deadly shooting during a home robbery in San Dimas. Authorities later linked him to the killings of the three homeless men when a firearm found in his car matched the ones used in those shootings. The motive for the attacks on the homeless victims remains unknown.
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The victims have been identified as Jose Bolanos, 37, Mark Diggs, 62, and a 52-year-old man found in the Lincoln Heights area. Another victim, Nicholas Simbolon, 42, was shot at his home in San Dimas. Surveillance images of a suspect vehicle led to Powell’s arrest after a traffic stop in Beverly Hills.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore expressed his gratitude to law enforcement for their dedication in solving the case. District Attorney George Gascón also commended their swift actions, stating that they undoubtedly saved lives.
If convicted on all charges, Powell could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Los Angeles County, with a population of approximately 10 million, has a significant homeless population. According to a 2022 federal tally, the county is home to more than one in five of the nation’s homeless people. Advocates for the homeless emphasize that those living on the streets are more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators.
This incident is not isolated, as five homeless people were shot in Las Vegas recently, with one fatality. Authorities are searching for a lone suspect in that case. In Orange County, California, a man was charged with killing four homeless men between late 2011 and early 2012. The suspect died while awaiting trial.
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The arrest of Powell brings some relief to the community, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the homeless population in Los Angeles and the need for continued efforts to address their safety and well-being.
