Los Angeles Suspect in fatal shootings of 3 homeless people identified, already in custody
Authorities in Los Angeles announced Saturday that the suspect in the fatal shootings of three homeless individuals has been identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, who was already in custody in connection with the murder of a San Dimas resident earlier in the week. This suspect has been formally arrested for the killings of the three unhoused men, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said at a news conference on Saturday.
Powell was already in custody for the San Dimas homicide, which occurred in connection with a follow-home robbery. In that case, Powell allegedly followed 42-year-old Nicholas Simbolon from a charging station in West Covina to his home, where he robbed and fatally shot him, then fled the scene, authorities said.
According to Moore, the vehicle believed to be connected to all three homicides was the same vehicle Powell used in the murder of Simbolon. A handgun recovered from Powell’s vehicle was also the same weapon used in the three killings.
The first homeless killing occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of West 110th Street, followed by another at about 5 a.m. Monday in the 800 block of East Seventh Street, and another at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at South Avenue 18 and South Pasadena Avenue, Moore said. The victims of the three homeless killings were identified as Jose Bolanos, 37, Mark Diggs, 62, and a 52-year-old man whose name was being withheld pending notification of relatives.
Simbolon’s murder, which occurred in San Dimas, was unrelated to the homeless killings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. There was no known connection among the four killings, and no known relationship between Powell and Simbolon.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said that his staff will be working on further charges on Monday. Authorities stated that they cannot discount the possibility that Powell might have committed other crimes.
The killings have caused fear among the city’s large homeless population, with many expressing concern for their safety. In response, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has activated its Augmented Winter Shelter Program in an attempt to provide additional safety for unhoused individuals.
“This news is devastating to our city,” said Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, adding that “Living on the streets we already know is dangerous. We already know that four to five people die each day on our streets from a range of causes, and violence is certainly one of them. But I want to be very clear about what we’re facing today. This is a killer who’s preying on the unhoused.
Authorities urged anyone with relevant information about Powell to contact police or sheriff’s officials.
ABC News and City News Service contributed to this report.