The suspect who broke into Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ home through a window during a security shift change on Sunday morning has been identified as 29-year-old Ephraim Matthew Hunter. Hunter’s father told Fox News Digital that his son had an addiction to heroin and that drugs played a role in the alleged break-in.
Hunter has a criminal history that includes a violent attack and robbery involving a hammer in Norfolk, Massachusetts, in 2015. After his release from prison, Hunter moved to Los Angeles to live with his brother and turn his life around. However, his father says that he started using drugs again and ended up on the streets.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to the break-in at Bass’ home, known as Getty House, around 6:40 a.m. Sunday. The LAPD said during a Tuesday press conference that Hunter hopped a wall surrounding Bass’ home as night security guards swapped shifts with morning security guards. This incident makes it the second home burglary Bass has experienced in two years.
District Attorney George Gascón said Tuesday that prosecutors believe Hunter was targeting Bass, who was at home with her daughter, her son-in-law, and her grandchild at the time of the break-in. Gascón added that Hunter’s actions while inside the property suggest he knew it was the mayor’s home and was looking for her.
The break-in has raised concerns about the safety of Los Angeles residents, with some expressing the belief that it is a reflection of the city’s ongoing crime problem. The incident has also led to renewed scrutiny of the city’s efforts to combat homelessness, with some questioning whether enough is being done to address the needs of those most in need.
Despite the challenges, Los Angeles leaders like Mayor Bass are committed to addressing these issues and improving the safety and well-being of all residents.
