A string of slayings that shocked Los Angeles has led to charges against Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, accused of executing four people, including three homeless men. The Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, after an exhaustive investigation, captured Powell suspected in these heinous acts.
Following the arrest, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón praised the diligence of the law enforcement agencies involved. "I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the incredible men and women of law enforcement who worked tirelessly to bring justice to our community and arrest this individual," Gascón said, according to a statement on the District Attorney's official website. "The swift actions of law enforcement undoubtedly saved lives this week."
Powell faces a litany of charges that place him at risk of life in prison without parole if convicted. These charges include four counts of murder, residential robbery, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, with special circumstances due to the multiple murders and a murder that occurred during a robbery.
According to the Hoodline report, Powell allegedly preyed on the homeless, often a demographic left unseen, and in those dark, unseen spaces, he perpetrated violence against them. A chilling element in this case is the detectives' concern for potentially undiscovered victims, indicating a possible serial pattern to these killings.
The community has been rattled by these frightening events, with the LAPD taking to social media to call for public involvement. They have urged anyone with information to come forward so that justice can be served and further tragedies can be prevented. This case is currently being prosecuted by the Major Crimes Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
