California man charged with the murders of two men he encountered through a dating app.
A California man has been charged in connection with the alleged killings of two men he reportedly met through an online dating app, as well as the attempted murder of a third individual. Prosecutors described Rockim Prowell’s actions as both “inexplicable” and “predatory,” highlighting the serious nature of the allegations against the 34-year-old resident of Inglewood.
According to a statement released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Prowell faces two counts of murder related to the deaths of Miguel Angel King and Robert Gutierrez. Charges also include one count of attempted murder, as well as two counts each of carjacking and second-degree burglary, alongside a count of assault with a deadly weapon.
Law enforcement officials reported that Prowell’s apprehension occurred after investigators established connections between the two vehicles stolen from the murder victims and the suspect. Authorities characterized Prowell as a serial burglar, indicating a pattern of criminal behavior. Hochman emphasized the shocking nature of the incidents, stating that the victims were deceived into believing they were meeting for a benign purpose, only to encounter extreme violence.
The sequence of events began on July 20, 2021, when King arranged to meet Prowell after connecting via a dating app. Reports indicate that during this meeting, Prowell fatally shot King and subsequently took his vehicle. Over a month later, King’s remains were discovered in Angeles National Forest, with forensic evidence from the car linking Prowell to the homicide.
In a separate incident involving Gutierrez, who disappeared after meeting Prowell on August 21, 2023, authorities confirmed the recovery of the victim’s vehicle from Prowell’s garage. Despite the ongoing investigation, Gutierrez remains missing.
Additionally, Prowell is accused of a violent attack on a third man on February 22, during which he allegedly bound the victim, stole his wallet, and assaulted him with a baseball bat. The victim managed to escape but suffered serious injuries while being pursued by Prowell, who struck him with a vehicle, resulting in a broken leg.
At the time of his arrest, Prowell was reportedly on probation for a series of burglaries committed in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles between 2019 and 2021. This case raises significant concerns about safety in online interactions and underscores the ongoing efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to tackle violent crime. Authorities are continuing their investigation as they seek justice for the victims and their families.
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