Suspects Arrested in Chicago and New York, Awaiting Extradition to Los Angeles
By Dolores Quintana
A tragic triple murder occurred on January 28, 2023, in the Beverly Crest area of Los Angeles on Ellison Drive. The crime took place at a vacation rental and the victims are Iyana Hutton (33 years old), Nenah Davis (30 years old), and Destiny Sims (27 years old). According to the LAPD press release, six other victims survived but because of the severity and violent nature of the crime, the LAPD has declined to release further information regarding the surviving victims. The LAPD has also identified a fourth victim allegedly killed by the same perpetrators Julian Bynum (30 years old) according to PIO Cervantes of the LAPD.
During this morning’s press conference update, it was announced that the LAPD Robbery-Homicide, Homicide Special Section Detectives conducted an investigation into the matter and identified the individuals responsible for the heinous crime. With the assistance of various law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles and Chicago FBI Violent Crime Task Force, Chicago Police Department, Illinois State Police, Cook County Sheriff’s Police, and the New York FBI Violent Crime Task Force, two of the murder suspects, Dejean Thompkins (28) and Dontae Williams (23), were arrested in Chicago. Both are currently awaiting extradition to Los Angeles, where they have been charged with murder and attempted murder by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Major Crimes Section.
The LAPD added that a third murder suspect, Daries Stanford (28), was identified by LAPD RHD Homicide Detectives and arrested in New York, with the assistance of the New York Police Department and the New York FBI Violent Crime Task Force. Like Thompkins and Williams, Stanford is awaiting extradition to Los Angeles, where he has also been charged with murder and attempted murder by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Major Crimes Section.
Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office detailed further information today on the crime and stated that on January 27, 2023, a group of friends was returning to a rental home in the 2700 block of Ellison Drive after attending a concert. As the group exited two vehicles, the defendants opened fire, killing Iyana Hutton, 33; Nenah Davis, 29; and Destiny Sims, 26, all of whom were in one vehicle. Four others were shot and wounded, while two escaped injury.
The murder of the fourth victim happened before the shooting in January according to the District Attorney’s office. Their report stated that on December 16, 2022, Julian Bynum, 30, was outside an apartment complex in the 6800 block of Simpson Avenue when he was allegedly shot multiple times by Thompkins.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, “This was a careless and senseless act that has left the victims’ families stunned and devastated. This is another example of the widespread damage that can be done by gun violence. We must do more – whether it is through legislation or education — to stop mass shootings in order to make every community in Los Angeles County safer.”
The complaint from the District Attorney’s office also alleges special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and multiple murders. Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date. The case was filed for warrant on May 8.
