Suspect arrested for killing three homeless people in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Police announced this Saturday that they have arrested an alleged serial killer who murdered three homeless people between November 26 and 29. The suspect has been identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, and he is also responsible for another murder while robbing a home in the city of San Dimas, near Los Angeles. Authorities are now searching for information about other possible victims.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announced in a press conference that Powell is the main defendant in the three murders of homeless people. In the last several days, the police have asked homeless people to exercise extreme caution and take refuge in shelters in the city of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) on Friday activated its winter shelter program in an attempt to provide additional safety measures to homeless people in response to the fatal shootings of three homeless people in separate attacks.

Los Angeles, like the rest of California, is experiencing a severe homelessness crisis. This summer, LAHSA estimated there to be more than 46,000 homeless people in the city in 2023, 10% more than the previous year.