UPDATE (Saturday, Dec. 2, 2:09 p.m. PT): A suspect authorities believe is responsible for the deaths of homeless individuals in the Los Angeles area has been arrested, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Watch the livestream here. He was identified as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33 of Los Angeles.
The suspect was arrested Thursday in relation to a San Dimas incident. His involvement in further murders was announced Saturday. Investigations into the murders continue.
“I watched the video yesterday… it was chilling. And I’ve been in this business for four plus decades,” said Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore of Powell. He said the suspect has a criminal history and that investigators are looking into his background further.
Moore said it does not appear that Powell knew his victims. He called the case “puzzling.”
Original story: A search is underway for a suspected serial killer accused of killing three homeless men in Los Angeles, authorities announced in a press conference on Friday.
57-year-old Jose Palanos was killed on Nov. 26 at 3 a.m in an alley at 836 West 110th Street, 62-year-old Mark Diggs was killed on Nov. 27 at 5 a.m. near East 7th Street and Towne Ave., and a third victim, only described as a 52-year-old male, was killed on Nov. 29 at the intersection of South Avenue 18 and Pasadena Ave.
“We believe a single individual approached each one and shot and killed each one as they slept,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said. “The investigators have gathered physical evidence as well as video evidence images and we've identified this possible male lone individual.”
The chief added that each victim was in the open and alone.
Moore said that a task force would be created from the robbery and homicide division to find the suspect. Captain Scott Williams will lead the task force.
“We're bringing additional investigators from specialized posts and we have placed our forensic science division on ready so that any forensic evidence that is gathered is also quickly processed and analyzed in an effort to identify the person we believe responsible for these three homicides,” Moore said.
Mayor Karen Bass urged the homeless community not to sleep alone.
“Seek shelter, seek services, stay together, seek support,” she said.
Bass said she would meet with leaders who work in housing and transportation to get the message out. She also said the U.S. Attorney's office is involved in the investigation, in case civil rights issues are involved.
“We are working to open emergency shelters that are open during times of difficult weather conditions,” she said. “We want those shelters open now so we can get as many people who are unhoused in those shelters. We are deploying outreach teams to go out and to look for individuals who are experiencing homelessness.”
Bass had a message for the suspect.
“We will find you. We will catch you, and you will be held accountable,” she said.
Those with any information on the shooting death or the suspect are urged to call 213-486-6890. The line will be available 24/7.
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