A California man is accused of murdering two males he met by a relationship 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 an unnamed relationship app in 2021 and 2023.
The third alleged sufferer additionally met the suspect by the identical relationship app in February, prosecutors mentioned. After being sure and overwhelmed with a baseball bat, the person managed to flee, police mentioned.
“Think about the fear and horror these victims felt after being duped into believing they have been assembly for one motive, solely to face inexplicable violence,” Los Angeles County District Legal professional Nathan Hochman mentioned in a statement Monday asserting the fees. “These have 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 achieved by investigators at each the Los Angeles Police Division and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division.”
Autos stolen from the 2 homicide victims have been linked to Prowell, in accordance with prosecutors, who mentioned 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 relationship app, in accordance with prosecutors. Prosecutors allege Prowell murdered King, then stole the sufferer’s car, which was discovered greater than every week later, a number of miles from Prowell’s dwelling.
“Forensic proof recovered from the car linked Prowell to the slaying,” the district lawyer’s workplace mentioned.
King’s stays have been finally discovered within the Angeles Nationwide Forest in August 2021, prosecutors mentioned.
Two years later, on Aug. 21, 2023, prosecutors mentioned Prowell agreed to fulfill with the second homicide sufferer — 53-year-old Robert Gutierrez — a couple of mile from the suspect’s dwelling after interacting by the relationship app. Gutierrez’s household reported him lacking two days later, and his physique was by no means discovered, prosecutors mentioned.
On Feb. 22, prosecutors say Prowell met with a 40-year-old man he had related with by the relationship 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 lawyer’s workplace mentioned. “The sufferer managed to flee however Prowell chased the person in a car, placing him and breaking his leg.”
When Prowell was arrested final week, they discovered Gutierrez’s automotive in his storage, prosecutors mentioned.
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 information present. He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Monday. It’s unclear if he has an lawyer presently.
If convicted as charged, he faces demise or life in state jail with out the potential for parole. A call on whether or not to hunt the demise penalty might be made at a later date, the district lawyer’s workplace mentioned.
Prosecutors mentioned the suspect is at present 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 sequence of burglaries in Beverly Hills. Police mentioned on the time that he wore a prosthetic mask with a wig throughout the crimes.
