There’s new evidence of rising crime and violence from coast to coast, including crimes committed by repeat offenders who should be in jail rather than walking the streets.
From major cities to smaller regions, violent crime is spiking. The latest report comes from Montgomery County, Maryland, where year-end statistics show crime is up sharply including killings and carjackings, according to WTOP-TV.
Year-end statistics show crime is up sharply in Montgomery County, Maryland, including killings and carjackings, while police said stolen cars are sometimes used in other crimes. https://t.co/SzlwwStr0V
— WTOP (@WTOP) January 19, 2022
There were 32 homicides and 67 carjackings in 2021 which is an 88% increase in homicides and 72% increase in carjackings, the county council’s public safety council was told Tuesday, according to the station.
But two murders in America’s biggest cities, which happened on opposite ends of the country, are making headlines as concerns rise about public safety. In both cases, police say the suspects are repeat offenders and homeless.
In Los Angeles, CA, Brianna Kupfer, a 24-year-old UCLA graduate student, was stabbed to death last week as she worked alone in a high-end furniture store.
Police have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith. Smith was considered “armed and dangerous” and “highly likely to be using public transportation” while he’s on the run, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced Tuesday.
31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith has been identified in connection with the murder of Brianna Kupfer, which occurred in the 300 block of North La Brea Avenue on January 13, 2022. He should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen do not approach, call 911. pic.twitter.com/jZlESB9l9r
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 19, 2022
“This individual responsible for this vicious, senseless, and brutal crime walks amongst us,” L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore said during a press conference about Kupfer’s murder which law enforcement authorities have described as “random.”
A $250,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Smith’s arrest.
The New York Post reports court records show Smith’s criminal record includes charges for gun crimes and even an attack on a police officer.
In October 2020, he was released on $1,000 bail after a misdemeanor arrest in California in which prosecutors chose not to press charges, the Covina Police Department said.
He also appears to be free on a $50,000 bond in South Carolina in relation to a November 2019 arrest on suspicion of firing a weapon into an occupied vehicle, court records show, the newspaper reported.
Kupfer’s father says police told him the suspect should have been in jail.
Todd Kupfer told The Post he “heard his rap sheet is much worse” — insisting police told him that the suspect in his daughter’s slaying should have been behind bars.
Anyone with information about Smith’s whereabouts should call the LAPD at (213) 382-9470. Users can submit a tip securely and anonymously by texting LAPD with their tip to (274637), or by going to www.lapdonline.org and following the link for “Anonymous Web Tips.”
Meanwhile, in New York City, police say an emotionally disturbed homeless man confessed to pushing 40-year-old Michelle Goh in front of a subway train over the weekend.
The NYPD identified the suspect as 61-year-old Simon Martial. Martial, who police said is homeless, was charged with second-degree murder.
Assistant Chief Jason Wilcox said Martial has a criminal history but he has been on parole. “He does have in the past three emotionally disturbed encounters with us that we have documented,” he said.
Martial was ordered held without bail on Wednesday, Fox News reported. Prosecutors said police are still investigating if the attack was racially motivated.
A social media user tweeted an image of the makeshift memorial for Goh at the subway station.
makeshift memorial for Michelle Go at 42nd St / Times Square Station #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/va9Bk7vMHx
— sami (@hellosami) January 16, 2022
With rising crime in the city’s subways, New York’s new Democratic mayor admits that even he doesn’t feel safe. “We’re going to make sure New Yorkers feel safe in our subway system and they don’t feel that way now. I don’t feel that way when I take the train every day or when I’m moving throughout our transportation system,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
Homeless advocates say the increase in crime points to a need to improve mental health services.
The LAPD reports about 10 percent of murders committed in the city in 2021 had a homeless suspect.
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