A suspect in a recent break-in at the home of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is believed to have been “targeting” her, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, The Associated Press reported.
“We believe that he was targeting the mayor,” Gascón said, according to the AP. “We are going on the assumption that he knew that it was her residence.”
“We are glad that there were no injuries and the mayor is OK,” Gascón continued.
Gascón said Ephraim Matthew Hunter was charged with a felony count of first-degree residential burglary and a felony count of vandalism, according to the AP. Hunter, 29, broke a window early Sunday morning to get into Bass’s official residence, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
“This morning at about 6:40 AM, an intruder broke into Getty House through a window. Mayor Bass and her family were not injured and are safe. The Mayor is grateful to LAPD for responding and arresting the suspect,” Bass’s office said in a statement Sunday.
Bass told reporters Monday that she is “fine” and that her “family is fine,” the AP reported.
In a statement, the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office, which is representing Hunter, said it “will ensure that Mr. Hunter receives a fair and robust defense and a full investigation into the circumstances which led to the accusations against him,” according to the AP.
LAPD interim Chief Dominic Choi told reporters Hunter broke into the residence when there were no security officers on the property, according to the AP.
The Hill has reached out to Bass’s office.
The Associated Press contributed.