Behind the Badge
Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators on Friday arrested a 26-year-old Laguna Hills man on suspicion of shooting and killing his 23-year-old estranged wife.
Jerel Boykins, a United States Marine at Camp Pendleton, was booked on suspicion of murder into the Orange County Jail on Sept. 15 and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
He is expected to appear in court Monday, Sept. 18.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Via Lomas regarding a welfare check.
Deputies arrived to find the victim with multiple gunshot wounds.
Orange County Fire Authority personnel were called to the scene to render medical aid. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Boykins was detained by Marine Corps NCIS at Camp Pendleton shortly after deputies found the victim.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the O.C. Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips also may be submitted to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-8476227) or at occrimestoppers.org
