Los Angeles, California – An early morning burglary at the official mayoral residence targeted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and her family, as a career criminal, Ephraim Matthew Hunter, broke in while they were inside. The incident occurred on April 21, when Hunter smashed a rear glass door around 6:40 a.m., causing significant damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000, as reported by the LA District Attorney’s Office. Fortunately, the mayor, her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild were unharmed during the break-in.
Police swiftly responded to the scene and apprehended Hunter shortly after the glass door was shattered. District Attorney George Gascón expressed relief that the mayor and her family emerged unscathed from the intrusion, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for all residents, including public officials. Gascón also noted that Hunter’s actions indicated he targeted Mayor Bass, based on his knowledge that she was present at the residence during the burglary.
According to interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi, Hunter exploited a security shift change to gain access to the property, jumping over a fence and swiftly breaking into the house. The quick and brazen nature of the break-in raised concerns, with questions surrounding Hunter’s motive or whether he intended harm towards Mayor Bass remaining unanswered.
Hunter, a repeat offender, was convicted in a brutal beating incident in Massachusetts in 2015 and sentenced to 5-7 years in prison before relocating to Los Angeles. His family has contested the belief that he intentionally targeted the mayor, citing mental health issues and a state of distress that led him to seek refuge blindly in the mayor’s residence.
Charged with felony first-degree residential burglary and vandalism, Hunter faces imprisonment if convicted. He is currently held on $100,000 bail awaiting further legal proceedings scheduled for May 6. This burglary marks the second such incident involving Mayor Bass in recent years, underscoring the ongoing challenges of maintaining safety and security, particularly in a city facing rising crime rates amidst a contentious criminal justice landscape.