A grim tableau unfolded in a quiet Granada Hills neighborhood when a man in his 80s fatally shot his wife and two adult children before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a distressing call Saturday evening at a residence on the 11600 block of Lerdo Avenue.
Officers arrived at the home around 7 PM but received no response at the door, leading them to force entry. Once inside, they found four individuals deceased from gunshot wounds — a woman in her 80s, a female and a male, both in their late 40s, and the elderly male suspect, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to an LAPD statement. A witness was also present, having survived the ordeal by barricading themselves in a room and alerting the police.
LAPD NEWS: Devonshire Division
— LAPD PIO (@LAPDPIO) January 28, 2024
On January 27, 2024, at 6:50 p.m., Devonshire Officers responded to a radio call of a shooting in the 11600 block of Lerdo Avenue. Further investigation determined it was a murder suicide. There were four victims found and pronounced dead at scene.
In a press conference, LAPD Capt. Kelly Muniz said, "I don't know how much more terrifying and horrific of a scene it can be when you have four persons that are deceased," as reported by KABC. "The only positive point is that you at least have one witness that has survived this incident." The motive for the murder-suicide is not yet clear, and the investigation is ongoing. The identity of the lone witness has not been disclosed, nor has their relationship with the family been confirmed.
Neighbors expressed shock over the incident, with one stating he had never got the chance to meet the victims. Video from citizens at the scene showed a large deployment of police personnel in the aftermath of the shooting. The area was sealed off, and an official statement has yet to disclose further details, but updates will follow as authorities delve into the investigation, KTLA reported.
