Police arrest alleged serial killer suspected in deaths of 4 homeless people
Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the killing of three homeless people and one other person around Los Angeles. It
Police announced that Jerrid Powell, 33, was arrested in relation to the murders. This came after LA officials revealed they are hunting for a serial killer who shot three homeless people dead in their sleep in alleyways during separate attacks on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday.
Powell had already been arrested over the killing of a county employee Nicholas Simbolon, 42, earlier in the week. He is accused of fatally shooting a San Dimas father of two after following him 12 miles from an electric vehicle charging station.
No new charges were announced for Powell at the Satruday news conference and investigators are still trying to work out a motive.
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Police and the city mayor Karen Bass hadwarned people experiencing homeless not to sleep aloneThe Californian killings led to an unprecedented warning from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who told the city's homeless population: "Our message to the unhoused community is clear - do not sleep alone tonight."
The victims were described as two Hispanic males and one Black male. Detectives released a CCTV image of a hooded suspect and a dark-coloured vehicle believed to be linked to the killings.
Police Chief Michel Moore announced on Saturday that they were able to match Powell's car to the car spotted on CCTV near one of the scenes. A handgun matching the murder weapon was also found, police said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said: "The next objective is to put this guy away at minimum forever because he doesn't deserve to be out on the street."
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Police had launched a huge operation to catch the killer before he struck again (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Regarding the killing of Mr Simbolon, Sheriff Luna said the suspect robbed him of “some personal belongings” before shooting him and fleeing the scene.
Mayor Bass said: "Our message to our unhoused community is clear – try not to be alone tonight. We will do all we can to make shelter and services available.
"To the many Angelenos who have friends or family who are unhoused, please let them know the danger that exists. We must stay safe. We will work diligently to bring those responsible to justice.
"As we always do in the face of a challenge or crisis, our region is mobilizing to respond to this issue. We will work tirelessly to find the individual responsible, arrest them, and hold them accountable. I have met with our partners at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Housing Department and we are moving immediately to get the word out to our unhoused neighbors in housing networks."
District Attorney George Gascón said there will be an shelter available for homeless people on Saturday night.
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