D.A. says Bass was specific target of home intruder
Felony charges are filed against the man accused of smashing the mayor’s door.
The man who broke into Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ home Sunday was specifically targeting her when he forced his way in and reached the second floor, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón said Tuesday.
Prosecutors provided disturbing new details about the incident after announcing the filing of burglary and vandalism charges — both felonies — against Ephraim Hunter, 29. Hunter pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Appearing at a news conference, Gascón said Hunter broke into Getty House, the mayor’s residence in L.A.’s Windsor Square neighborhood, around 6:40 a.m. He smashed a glass door, leaving a trail of blood as he went inside, Gascón said.
Gascón would not explain why investigators think Bass was targeted, saying it is an ongoing inquiry. He also declined to say whether Hunter said anything once he was inside the residence, which was occupied at the time by Bass, her daughter, her son-inlaw and her newborn grandchild.
Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, said the mayor does not know the suspect, and declined further comment.
In court, one of Gascón’s prosecutors described a bloody and chaotic scene inside the mayor’s residence. Deputy Dist. Atty. Jonathan Chung said Hunter used his body to smash through the glass door, causing up to $10,000 in damage, before attempting to access several bedrooms, leaving blood on the doorknobs.
Although Hunter initially told people on the scene he “didn’t know why he was there,” he at one point called out someone’s name, Chung said, describing the unnamed person as a victim in the case.
“There were actions while he was inside the property that are consistent with the fact that he knew that this was ... the mayor’s home, and that he was looking for her,” Gascón said.
Hunter entered his plea late Tuesday afternoon. Appearing in a blue county jail shirt and red basketball shorts, he could be heard in the courtroom telling his attorney he “had a delusion”