He faces the recommended charges of first degree murder, assault with intent and assault with dangerous weapons.
His father stated that the man who was arrested for the murder of a homeless man is a "good man" who has been disappointed by the system of justice.
Gerald Brevard III (age 30) was taken into custody Tuesday in Washington. He faces the recommended charges of first degree murder, assault with intent kill, and assault with dangerous weapon. His father Gerald Brevard Jr. said Wednesday that although he has had a few brushes with the law, the judicial system has not recognized his mental illness.
He is a decent person, but he has mental illness like many people around the world. He has mental illness but it is more about how many times he has been in the judicial system, and how they have failed to treat my son," said the elder Brevard.
He said that he had just learned about his son's arrest, and didn't know the details of the charges against him.
According to Gerald Brevard Sr., Brevard was homeless and lived with the vulnerable population that he is accused in attacking.
Brevard Sr. said NBC New York he was hurt by the allegations made against his grandson.
Brevard Sr. said that his grandson had suffered from mental problems for a while. "I'm hurt. "...and like I said, my condolences and prayers go out to the victims."
He said, "I am deeply saddened by the victims. All those who were injured or killed. My condolences go out to the families of all the victims.
New York City and Washington D.C. have reported that Brevard has been suspected in five attacks against homeless men who slept in cities since March 3. Police said that the violence included a stabbing and fatal shooting in New York City on March 9, and a second, more serious shooting in Manhattan.
Officials in both cities appealed to the public for help to find the suspect. For information leading to the arrest or conviction of a suspect, authorities offered a reward up to $70,000.
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Contee III stated that a tip received Monday led detectives into a suspect who lived in the area. After finding images of him at an ATM in the district on March 9, one of the victims was also found, they honed in on him even more.
During a press conference, the chief stated that "We've got his man."
Police Capt. Contee stated that Kevin Kentish saw the same person in a photo from New York and posted it to social media.
Contee stated that the discovery could tie the suspect to both crimes in the two cities. This connection is bolstered with ballistic evidence that shows the same gun was used for all five attacks.
Tuesday's Manhattan press conference saw James W. Essig, Chief of Detectives at the New York Police Department, describe the suspect in custody as both a suspect, and a person in interest. He also said that a further determination would be made by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
He said, "We don’t have enough money to make an arrest."
Brevard's criminal record includes an alleged assault of a Virginia woman, according to a senior law enforcement official who first identified him to NBC News.
His criminal history goes back at least to 2009 according to records: He was charged with attempted robbery using a deadly weapon, assault, burglary and identity theft.
At least two criminal cases have brought Brevard's mental capacity into question. He pleaded guilty to an assault case and was released from probation in 2019.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office Washington D.C., Brevard will make his first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
