Los Angeles, California – An 81-year-old California man, Prince Raymond King, who was recently arrested for allegedly being a “serial slingshot shooter,” passed away from heart disease a day after being released from jail. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that King died of atherosclerosis on May 29, which is a condition where fats, cholesterol, and other substances accumulate on the walls of arteries.
King’s arrest on May 23 came after a search warrant was executed in his neighborhood by the Azusa Police Department. Authorities found ball bearings and a slingshot in King’s residence during the search. He was in custody at the Los Angeles County Jail until his release on May 28, with a scheduled court date set for June 17, 2024.
During King’s initial court appearance, a judge ordered him to stay 200 yards away from the homes and individuals he was accused of targeting with the slingshot. The motive behind King’s alleged actions remains unclear, with authorities describing the incidents as “malicious mischief” rather than random attacks.
Azusa police initiated the search warrant based on concerns about a “quality of life issue” in the community, following a lengthy investigation that revealed multiple citizens being victimized by the alleged serial slingshot shooter over nearly a decade. While no injuries were reported from King’s actions, the impact on the victims’ sense of safety and well-being cannot be overlooked.
The investigation into the slingshot incidents had been ongoing for years, with law enforcement previously unable to identify a suspect. However, through thorough investigative work, Azusa police eventually traced most of the launched ball bearings back to King’s property, as well as a neighboring area. Despite the identification of the suspect, questions remain about the specific reasons behind his actions and the selection of targets.
King’s death marks a somber conclusion to a peculiar case that perplexed both authorities and the local community. The details surrounding his alleged slingshot activities raise broader questions about public safety, the impact of seemingly harmless acts of mischief, and the potential consequences of such behaviors. The tragic outcome serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties involved in addressing and preventing criminal activities within neighborhoods.