A Los Angeles man has been charged with four counts of murder, including the shooting deaths of three homeless people and a fourth murder believed to be a follow-home robbery.
Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, allegedly committed the four murders over a span of four days, from November 26 to 29, according to prosecutors. The targeted victims were homeless men who were asleep on sidewalks or in alleys in Los Angeles, as well as the robbery and murder of Nicholas Simbolon in San Dimas.
Powell trailed Simbolon from a vehicle charging station to his home. He proceeded to rob Simbolon and shot him in his garage. “Upon taking the personal belongings, the suspect senselessly shot the victim and fled the crime scene,” the LA County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Powell was in custody for the murder of Simbolon before police realized he was responsible for the death of the three homeless people. The handgun recovered from the vehicle was “positively identified” as the murder weapon used on all four victims.
In addition to the murder charges, Powell is facing charges of robbery and being a felon in possession of a gun. He is also being charged with special circumstances of committing multiple murders and murder during a robbery.
District Attorney George Gascón expressed his gratitude to law enforcement for their diligent work in apprehending Powell and bringing justice to the community. He credited their swift actions with undoubtedly saving lives.
As of now, Powell is being held on $2 million bail and has a court appearance scheduled for Monday morning. If convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
This shocking series of crimes has left the Los Angeles community on edge as they come to terms with the tragic loss of life. Homeless advocates are calling for increased measures to protect vulnerable populations, urging government officials to address the root causes of homelessness and provide safer environments for those living on the streets.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into Powell’s alleged crimes to ensure that all facts are uncovered and justice is served. Additionally, the police believe that other victims might exist and are investigating available leads.