A California man is accused of murdering two males he met by way of a courting app and making an attempt to kill a 3rd in what prosecutors described as “inexplicable” and “predatory” acts of violence.
Rockim Prowell, 34, of Inglewood, has been charged with two counts of homicide for the deaths of males prosecutors say he met by way of an unnamed courting app in 2021 and 2023.
The third alleged sufferer additionally met the suspect by way of the identical courting app in February, prosecutors stated. After being sure and crushed with a baseball bat, the person managed to flee, police stated.
“Think about the phobia and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they had been assembly for one cause, solely to face inexplicable violence,” Los Angeles County District Lawyer Nathan Hochman stated in a statement Monday asserting the costs. “These had been predatory acts that confirmed a complete disregard of life. This suspect has now been stopped in his tracks due to the diligent and tenacious work carried out by investigators at each the Los Angeles Police Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division.”
Autos stolen from the 2 homicide victims had been linked to Prowell, based on prosecutors, who stated the suspect is a serial burglar.
One of many victims, 51-year-old Miguel Angel King, met with Prowell on July 20, 2021, after connecting with the suspect on the courting app, based on prosecutors. Prosecutors allege Prowell murdered King, then stole the sufferer’s automobile, which was discovered greater than per week later, a number of miles from Prowell’s dwelling.
“Forensic proof recovered from the automobile linked Prowell to the slaying,” the district legal professional’s workplace stated.
King’s stays had been in the end discovered within the Angeles Nationwide Forest in August 2021, prosecutors stated.
Two years later, on Aug. 21, 2023, prosecutors stated Prowell agreed to fulfill with the second homicide sufferer — 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez — a few mile from the suspect’s dwelling after interacting by way of the courting app. Gutierrez’s household reported him lacking two days later, and his physique was by no means discovered, prosecutors stated.
On Feb. 22, prosecutors say Prowell met with a 40-year-old man he had related with by way of the courting app about 4 miles from the suspect’s dwelling.
“Prowell allegedly sure the sufferer, stole his pockets and beat him with a baseball bat,” the district legal professional’s workplace stated. “The sufferer managed to flee however Prowell chased the person in a automobile, placing him and breaking his leg.”
When Prowell was arrested final week, they discovered Gutierrez’s automobile in his storage, prosecutors stated.
Prowell has been charged with two counts of homicide with the particular circumstance allegation of a number of murders, in addition to one depend of tried homicide, two counts every of carjacking and second-degree housebreaking and one depend of assault with a lethal weapon.
He’s being held on $2 million bail, on-line jail data present. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Monday. It’s unclear if he has an legal professional right now.
If convicted as charged, he faces dying or life in state jail with out the potential for parole. A choice on whether or not to hunt the dying penalty will probably be made at a later date, the district legal professional’s workplace stated.
Prosecutors stated the suspect is presently on probation for burglaries he dedicated within the Beverly Hills and Los Angeles areas between 2019 and 2021.
Prowell was arrested in Might 2021 in reference to a collection of burglaries in Beverly Hills. Police stated on the time that he wore a prosthetic mask with a wig in the course of the crimes.
