SANTA MONICA, Calif. – A 27-year-old homeless woman is set to appear in court next month on charges related to the fatal shooting of a man in Santa Monica. The woman, Kayla Delise Mackie, is facing a murder charge, along with other counts stemming from alleged crimes in the Los Angeles area.
According to court records, Mackie has been charged with murder, attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and second-degree robbery. The charges also include multiple allegations of firearm use. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to return to court on March 21 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial.
The shooting, which resulted in the death of 46-year-old William Edwards III, occurred on January 25 in the 2600 block of 29th Street, near Ocean Park Boulevard. Edwards, a music producer who worked with various rap and hip-hop artists and ran a recording studio in Hollywood, was shot while sitting in his parked car.
Mackie was arrested the following day in West Los Angeles and is currently being held in lieu of $2 million bail. The Santa Monica Police Department has stated that she is also “responsible for additional crimes in Los Angeles, including an armed robbery and an attempted homicide,” although detailed information on those allegations was not immediately available.
Following the tragic incident, Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock expressed shock and extended condolences to Edwards’ family and friends. He also commended the police for their swift apprehension of the suspect and emphasized that there is no place for any type of violence, particularly gun violence, in the city.
Friends of the victim described Edwards as a devoted father of two young boys, highlighting the impact of his untimely death on his loved ones. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
As the case unfolds, Mackie’s court appearance in March will be a crucial step in determining the course of justice for the tragic events that unfolded in Santa Monica.