Police in Los Angeles have arrested a former state congressional candidate as a suspect in a triple killing.
Patrick Kevin Spurlock, 57, was arrested on Franklin Avenue, less than a quarter-mile from where Jeremiah Badeker, Jack Cartegena and Michael Bogacz were fatally shot, the LA Times reports.
The Los Angeles County DA charged Spurlock with three counts of murder with special allegations stemming from multiple murders, murder with a prior murder conviction, and personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, according to the paper.
On the night of July 24, Spurlock was allegedly with the victims on Wilcox Avenue when an argument erupted, police said. During the fight, Spurlock allegedly pulled out a gun and ordered the other three men onto the ground, at which he point he shot them "numerous times," according to the police report.
The bodies were discovered on July 28 following a wellness check.
“While the victims lay on the ground, [Spurlock] shot them numerous times,” the LAPD said in a press release on Wednesday. “The victims were discovered several days later and were pronounced deceased.”
Spurlock has been convicted of a fatal shooting in the past. In 2003, he fatally shot DeWayne Williams, 43, after an argument at Williams' home in Cowlitz County, Washington. After the shooting, Spurlock reportedly robbed Williams' house and restrained him and his girlfriend.
He fled to LA, but was arrested and extradited to Washington. He entered a Newton plea, in which he agreed that he was guilty but disagreed with other specifics of the case. Spurlock was sentenced to 17 years in prison but was released in 2022 and immediately ran for office in that year's primary elections.
Ultimately Spurlock — who was running as an independent for District 3, which is in southwest Washington — received 819 votes, about 2 percent of the vote.
He said at the time that he was inspired to run by a judge overseeing his trial, who encouraged him to get involved in civic life, according to the Spokane Spokesman-Review.
Spurlock is currently being held at LA County's Inmate Reception Center. He was denied bail and will return to court on August 31.
Anyone with additional information regarding the shooting is asked to contact LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division detectives at 213-486-6890.
The Independent has requested comment from the LAPD. It was unclear at the time of publication if Spurlock had hired an attorney.
