An 81-year-old man named Prince King has been accused of being a ‘serial slingshot shooter’ in Azusa, California. He is alleged to have caused vandalism in the neighborhood for 9 to 10 years by shattering windows and windshields with ball bearings using a slingshot. The investigation into the vandalism began when a sergeant noticed similarities in the incidents. King was arrested after investigators observed him committing a crime involving a slingshot and ball bearings. Ball bearings and a slingshot were found in King’s home during his arrest on May 23, 2023.
King has been charged with five counts of felony vandalism and two counts of misdemeanor vandalism. He has pleaded not guilty. It is unclear if King knew any of the victims personally, and the motive behind the alleged incidents remains unknown.
The Azusa Police Department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office are handling the case. The investigation was conducted by Detective Fabiola Madrigal Rodriguez of the Azusa Police Department.
King died on May 31, 2024, five days after his arrest. He was pronounced dead after officers responded to a home in the 500 block of Soldano Avenue for a wellness check. There was no evidence of foul play in King’s death.
King had been arrested on Friday when officers responded to a “quality of life issue” occurring in the 900 block of North Enid Avenue. Reactions to his arrest were mixed, with some accusing him of shooting their dog with ball bearings and others saying he mainly ran off unwanted squatters.
King was booked following Friday’s arrest but had been released, police said. He died of heart disease at a private residence, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office said on its website on May 31, 2024.
King lived next door to Veronica Jonasson who described him as ‘nice’ and someone who would frequently declare ‘break time!’ and come over to chat. Neighbors were shocked at his arrest and death, describing him as a friendly old man.
