Career Criminal Breaks into L.A. Mayor's Home During Mental Breakdown

Ephraim Matthew Hunter, a 29-year-old career criminal, broke into the official residence of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Sunday morning while the mayor and her family were inside. Hunter allegedly shattered a rear glass door to gain entry to the Getty House, causing between $5,000 and $10,000 in damage.

Prosecutors believe Hunter intentionally focused on the mayor's home, knowing it was her official residence. "We believe that he was targeting the mayor," stated District Attorney George Gascón. During the break-in, which occurred around 6:40 a.m., Hunter cut himself on the broken glass and left bloodstains throughout the home as he attempted to access several bedrooms.

Mayor Bass, her daughter, son-in-law, and newborn grandchild were forced to hide in a secure location while Hunter roamed the property. The break-in triggered an alarm, and police arrested Hunter at the scene without incident. Neither the mayor nor her family were physically harmed during the frightening ordeal.

Hunter's mother, Josephine Duah, claimed her son was experiencing a psychological crisis and thought he would be safe inside the mayor's residence. "He was having a mental breakdown and thought he was being chased while on drugs," Duah explained. Public records show Hunter has a troubled past, including a previous conviction for assault with a deadly weapon in 2015, for which he served seven years in state prison.

The Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office, representing Hunter, stated that he was under the influence of a controlled substance and experiencing delusions at the time of the break-in. However, prosecutors argue that Hunter's actions inside the home, such as calling out a specific name, suggest he was aware it was the mayor's residence and was targeting her.

Why this matters: The brazen break-in at the Los Angeles mayor's official residence raises serious concerns about the safety measures for elected officials and their families. It also highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing mental health and substance abuse issues within the criminal justice system.

Hunter has been charged with felony first-degree residential burglary with a person present, vandalism, and a prior strike. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held on a $1 million bond. If convicted, Hunter faces up to 13 years and 4 months in prison. The incident has prompted a review of security protocols at the Getty House, with a 24-hour security operation now in place. "The safety of the community is of paramount importance, and we will hold people accountable," Gascón emphasized.

Key Takeaways

• Intruder broke into LA mayor's home, caused $5K-$10K in damage.
• Intruder targeted mayor's home, hid from family during break-in.
• Intruder has criminal history, was under influence during incident.
• Incident raises security concerns for elected officials and families.
• Intruder charged with felony burglary, faces up to 13 years in prison.