Suspect Arrested In Killings Of Three L.A. Homeless People

Less than 24 hours after news broke that a serial predator might be targeting some of Los Angeles’ most vulnerable residents, police on Saturday announced the arrest of a suspect linked to the homicides of three homeless men across the city in the past week. Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, is accused of walking up to men in three different Los Angeles neighborhoods over a four-day span, killing each for no apparent reason, Police Chief Michel Moore said Saturday. Moore described the killings as “senseless” and said footage of at least one homicide shows Powell acting borderline indifferent as he takes a man’s life. “It was chilling and I’ve been in this work for four-plus decades,” Moore said of the Monday killing of Mark Diggs. “The cold-blooded manner in which he walks up and shoots this individual without any hesitation, no interactions.” Powell was arrested Wednesday night by Beverly Hills police after his car was linked to the Sunday killing of 42-year-old Nicholas Simbolon in San Dimas. Powell allegedly robbed Simbolon at his home and shot him in what authorities have termed a “follow home robbery.” Simbolon, who worked for the L.A. County chief executive’s office, is survived by his wife, his mother and two sons, officials said. 

Los Angeles Times

Man Shot And Killed At Vermont Knolls Gas Station

Police were looking for two people who opened fire at a gas station and killed a man in the Vermont Knolls neighborhood of South LA late Sunday night. The LAPD received a call about an assault with a deadly weapon at around 11 p.m. Sunday at the Sinclair gas station on West Manchester Avenue and South Hoover Street off the 110 Freeway. When responding officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim near one of the gas pumps with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim, who was identified as a man in his 30s, was declared dead at the scene. Video from the scene showed the man appeared to be inside a car. The suspects were last seen getting away from the gas station in a car. Detectives were expected to collect security camera footage from the gas station to track down the attacker. It’s not clear what led up to the shooting, and whether the shooter and the victim knew each other. The intersection of Manchester and Hoover was blocked off for several hours while detectives collected evidence, but the roadways were re-open by 4 a.m.

NBC 4

Deadly Shooting Breaks Out After House Fire In Chatsworth

An apparent fight between two sisters end in a house fire and a deadly shooting in Chatsworth. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call of a house fire in the 9600 block of North Laramie Avenue a little before 2 p.m. Shortly after arriving at the scene, fighterfighters realized this could be the same house where a possible armed suspect may have been so the Los Angeles Police Department took over the call. According to LAPD, one of the sisters allegedly pointed a gun at the other while actively trying to set the house on fire. LAPD was told the sisters had been fighting over who inherits what of the house from the father who used to live there. A shooting then broke out, ending with a woman in her 50s being pronounced dead at the hospital. LAFD eventually took down the fire after the suspect, the woman allegedly with the gun, was shot and apprehended by police. It is unknown what prompted the shooting to take place. Officials did not say if the woman opened fire at police.

FOX 11

Granada Hills Resident Shoots, Kills Intruder During Home Invasion, LAPD Says

A Granada Hills homeowner shot and killed one of two intruders during an early-morning home invasion Saturday, authorities said. Officers responded about 5 a.m. to a report of a hot prowler in the 11400 block of Swinton Avenue, near Rinaldi Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. One suspect was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot by the resident, the LAPD said. The other intruder fled and remained at large. Police said the suspect pointed a weapon at the victim when the homeowner shot at them. Investigators believe another suspect was injured. "There was a blood trail that trailed from the residence," said LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton. "We trailed it to the end but we believe there was at least one or two additional suspects involved in this burglary that left this scene." A grandmother and a toddler were at home during the break-in though none of the residents were reported injured. Neighbors who spoke with Eyewitness News said this type of crime has been happening often. "We've been having burglaries every day in this neighborhood, so I'm not surprised," said Pat Walsh. "I'm not surprised at all this has happened. It's been a real problem here, and the residents here are fed up."

ABC 7

1 Dead After Argument Leads To Shooting In Downtown LA; Suspect Remains At Large

One person is dead after an argument turned into a shooting in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles on Sunday. Police were dispatched to the area near E. 16th Street and San Pedro Street, just under the I-10 Freeway, after learning of the shooting, according to Los Angeles Police Department. Upon arrival, they found a man in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. During their preliminary investigation, detectives learned that the shooting was preceded by an argument between the victim and another man, believed to be between 30 and 40 years old. They say that he ran from the scene on foot and has not yet been located. The shooting is not believed to be gang-related. 

CBS 2

Burglar Ransacks University Park Cafe: LAPD

An investigation is underway after a University Park café was broken into early Saturday. The glass door of Viztango Café was smashed by a burglar who took off with an undisclosed number of items, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The break-in happened around 6:30 a.m. on the 3000 block of Figueroa Street. Surveillance footage from the café showed a person in a hooded sweatshirt breaking their way into the business and then ransacking it. Several items were damaged, including registers that were broken into and a computer. No injuries were reported in connection with the crime. The investigation is ongoing.

NBC 4

Man Fatally Wounded In South Gate Shooting

A man was fatally wounded Sunday in South Gate in a shooting that also left another man wounded, authorities said. The shooting occurred at about 4:05 a.m. in the 5100 block of Wood Avenue, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported. South Gate police officers responded to a service call of gunshots heard and found one victim in the front yard of the location and a second gunshot victim on the sidewalk, sheriff's officials said. LA County Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported both victims to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead and the second was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Sheriff's officials described the dead man as a Hispanic male, but no further information was immediately available. Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call homicide detectives at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8255.

NBC 4

2 Arrested In Connection With String Of Armed Robberies In LA, OC

Beverly Hills police announced the arrest of two suspects whom they say are connected to a string of armed robberies that have plagued Los Angeles and Orange County residents over a four-month span. "The robberies primarily targeted individuals for their luxury watches and jewelry, with an additional connection to a home invasion robbery in the city of Brea," a statement from the Beverly Hills Police Department said. Investigators say that after making a series of arrests connected to robberies involving firearms, they realized that the group of suspects were potentially connected to numerous other crimes that were continuing to occur throughout Southern California. As a result, they began to coordinate efforts with the Santa Monica Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, LA IMPACT and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the statement said. They were able to identify suspects responsible for at least six robberies that happened in Los Angeles County after executing multiple search warrants in both California and Flagstaff, Arizona. 

CBS 2

Driver Suspected Of Hitting, Killing 2 Nevada State Troopers Charged With DUI

Two Nevada State Police troopers who were assisting a motorist were struck by a vehicle and killed in a hit-and-run this morning on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas, authorities said. The vehicle was later located, along with the suspected driver, authorities said. "Our prayers are with the families and loved ones of our fallen troopers," State Police said in a statement. Metro Police were investigating the incident, authorities said. The troopers were hit about 3:20 a.m. while assisting a driver who appeared to have fallen asleep in their vehicle and was pulled over on the interstate near D Street, Metro Police Deputy Chief Branden Clarkson said. The troopers were hit by a white Chevrolet HHR, which fled the scene, Clarkson said. The troopers were identified Thursday night as Michael Abbate and Alberto Felix, according to state police. One trooper was declared dead at the scene, and the other was transported to University Medical Center, where he later died, Clarkson said. Both were husbands with children, he said. After conducting a street-by-street search, authorities located an unoccupied HHR matching the description of the suspect vehicle about 8 a.m. near J and Monroe streets, Clarkson said. The suspect, later identified as Jemarcus Williams, was later found.

Las Vegas Sun

Man Stabs 2 NYPD Officers After Killing 4 Family Members, Setting Home On Fire

A man killed four relatives, including two children, in a knife attack at their New York City home early Sunday, then set the building on fire and stabbed two police officers before one of them fatally shot him, officials said. The rampage took place before dawn at a house in Far Rockaway, a seaside section of Queens. Police were summoned to the home at about 5:10 a.m. when a “young female caller" dialed 911 and said her cousin was killing her family, the NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said at a morning news briefing. When the officers pulled up to the driveway, they stopped a man leaving the area with luggage and after just a few seconds, he drew a knife and attacked. One of the officers was stabbed in the area of his neck and chest, the other was slashed in the head before one of them shot the assailant, Maddrey said. An 11-year old girl was found in front of the house and taken to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead from stab wounds. 

Associated Press

Two Bodies, Dog Found In Debris Of House Fire In Sylmar

Firefighters found the remains of two people on Sunday after knocking down a fire that encompassed a primary home and two back houses in Sylmar, where ammunition was found inside. The victims were described as a woman whose body was found in the home's pool and a man and a dog whose bodies were found in the rubble of the fire. Authorities said weapons were also found at the site. A bomb squad was called to the location, as well as an arson detail. "An LAFD Human Remains Detection Canine has completed its search of the scene, and no additional civilian or responder injuries have been reported," LAFD said The fire spread to two other structures on the property located on the 13000 block of Glenoaks Boulevard, just south of the 210 Freeway. Officials say neighbors called 911 just after 4:30 a.m. When fire crews arrived, they found three structures heavily engulfed in flames. The home was described as a ranch-style single-story home with two back houses. Flames could be seen ripping through the roof of the home. Firefighters could hear ammunition going off due to the extreme heat.

NBC 4

Mayor Bass Announces Plans For Week-Long Tour Of Los Angeles To Highlight One-Year Anniversary

Mayor Karen Bass announced her plans to criss-cross Los Angeles ahead of the first anniversary of her inauguration on Dec. 11, highlighting work on homelessness, safety, business, climate and city services. "This year, we have confronted challenges before us with urgency and unity," Bass said in a statement Sunday. "Together, we brought thousands of Angelenos inside who were suffering on our streets. Together, we invested in a comprehensive safety strategy that has resulted in a recent record of police academy applications as well as expansions of community-based safety solutions. "Together, we're attracting businesses to come to our city, building a greener Los Angeles and improving city services. When we were faced with crises -- whether it was a hurricane or a disastrous fire, we got through them together -- and together, with urgency, collaboration and innovation, we will continue to build a better future in every neighborhood, for every Angeleno. Nothing will stop Los Angeles." 

CBS 2

About the LAPPL: Formed in 1923, the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL) represents more than 8,900 dedicated and professional sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department. The LAPPL serves to advance the interests of LAPD officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education.