An 81-year-old California man, known as the serial slingshot shooter accused of terrorizing his neighborhood for over a decade, died just days after his arrest. Prince Raymond King was found dead inside a home in Azusa, California, around 7:30 a.m. on May 31, 2024.
Police told the Los Angeles Daily News it is unknown who owns the house that King was found in, but according to Azusa police Sgt. Nick Covarrubias, there was no "evidence of foul play" found.
According to the local medical examiner’s office, King died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition that damages the heart arteries. His death was ruled as natural.
The elderly man had appeared in West Covina Superior Court for his arraignment on Tuesday May 28, 2024. He pleaded not guilty at the time. For the past nine years, he was accused of using a slingshot to fire metal ball bearings at his neighbors’ homes and vehicles.
More From LittleThings: Angry McDonald's Customer Shot And Killed Houston Attorney Because His Order Was Wrong
"Many times I came outside and I would find little, like, bebes on the ground by my front door," said Monica Palomino, a resident of King's neighborhood. "So I'm very glad that the person was caught."
"I've actually seen him shoot the slingshot before," said another resident, Dava Juan. "He never shot at us or anything … I couldn't believe he was arrested, you know, SWAT team and stuff yesterday so it's pretty crazy."
King was charged with five counts of felony vandalism and two counts of misdemeanor vandalism for allegedly targeting his neighbors’ property with the slingshot. He reportedly broke numerous house windows and car windshields with the small, yet mighty weapon.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged King with vandalism for incidents ranging from October 2021 to May 2024. Neighbors claim the slingshot attacks have been going on since 2015.
During King's arrest, police found the slingshot and 10 to 40 ball bearings in his possession, Cpl. Benjamin Cypher said. He was released from custody following his hearing on May 28 after his attorneys argued he suffered from a number of medical illnesses.
King was ordered not to stay in his Azusa home, but he was allowed to return to pick up his medications. He was also told to stay at least 200 yards away from the homes he allegedly targeted, not to have contact with any of the victims, and was ordered not to possess any deadly weapons, including his slingshot. He was supposed to appear back in court on June 17 for a preliminary hearing.
