Azusa, California – An elderly man, Prince Raymond King, accused of using a slingshot to vandalize his neighbors’ property for nearly a decade, passed away just days after being arrested and appearing in court. The 81-year-old was found deceased inside a home in Azusa, California, with no evidence of foul play reported by the local authorities.
The cause of King’s death was determined to be arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a natural occurrence according to the medical examiner’s office. King had recently pleaded not guilty to multiple felony vandalism charges stemming from incidents dating back to 2021. His alleged actions involved using a slingshot to launch metal ball bearings at neighbors’ homes and vehicles, resulting in broken windows and windshields.
Neighbors had been enduring King’s slingshot attacks since 2015, although formal charges were filed for incidents between 2021 and 2024. After an investigation linking the ball bearings to him, King was arrested on May 23 and later released from custody under certain restrictions, including staying away from the homes he targeted and refraining from possessing any deadly weapons, including his slingshot.
During his brief court appearance, King’s attorneys argued that he suffered from various medical conditions, leading to his release from custody pending further legal proceedings. Despite the ongoing vandalism incidents, one of King’s neighbors acknowledged the neighborhood’s overall positive atmosphere, aside from the property damage caused by the slingshot attacks.
King was due to appear in court again for a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 17, highlighting the continued legal ramifications of his actions. The community affected by his actions is left to reflect on the impact of the decade-long ordeal and the consequences of such destructive behavior.