A homeless woman in Santa Monica, California is facing murder charges after being accused of fatally shooting a man in a parked car. 27-year-old Kayla Delise Mackie has also been charged with multiple other counts stemming from alleged crimes in the Los Angeles area. The charges include murder, attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and second-degree robbery, all with firearm-use allegations.
Mackie pleaded not guilty to the charges and is scheduled to appear in court on March 21, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial. She is accused of fatally shooting 46-year-old William Edwards III, a music producer who worked with several rap and hip-hop artists and ran a recording studio in Hollywood.
The shooting occurred around 10:25 p.m. on January 25 in the 2600 block of 29th Street. Edwards was shot while sitting in his parked car, and the motive for the shooting is unknown. Mackie was arrested the following day in West Los Angeles and remains in jail in lieu of $2 million bail.
Authorities in Santa Monica have also linked Mackie to additional crimes in the Los Angeles area, including an armed robbery and an attempted homicide. Details on these additional allegations were not immediately available, but court records indicate that the alleged crimes occurred the day before the fatal shooting.
Santa Monica Mayor Phil Brock expressed shock at the “senseless killing” and extended condolences to Edwards’ family and friends. He commended the police for swiftly apprehending the suspect and emphasized the city’s stance against all forms of violence, particularly gun violence.
In addition to working with various artists, Edwards was a father of two young boys. Friends described him as a well-respected individual within the music industry. Anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting has been urged to contact the Santa Monica Police Department.
Mackie’s case is set to continue in court, and the community awaits further developments as the legal process unfolds.