The assailant, who was recognized by officials, has been apprehended one day after he was pursued in the murder of a 24-year-old woman employed at a Hancock Park furniture shop. Officials appealed for assistance from the community in locating him.
Smith Laval Shawn was detained by Pasadena police near Colorado Boulevards and Fair Oaks Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. Police said that details about his arrest were not immediately available.
Authorities released images on Tuesday of the suspect identified as 31-year-old Smith, who is considered armed and dangerous. He is believed to be the individual who carried out the random attack on Brianna Kupfer, a student at UCLA, at the furniture store House Croft where she worked alone. The Los Angeles Police Department has labeled him as a suspect in the incident.
It was not immediately clear whether anyone will receive the reward for the arrest resulting from the tip. Chief Michel Moore and LAPD councilman Paul Koretz also announced a $50,000 reward on Tuesday for leading information that would lead to the conviction or arrest of the suspects or suspect in the stabbing death of Brianna Kupfer introduced by Koretz last Saturday.
According to Koretz, the total rewards, which comprised of both public and private contributions, exceeded $250,000.
Investigators may have seen someone they believe to be the leading attacker before and after the attack, and the man said several other businesses were entered. The police released security camera footage from a convenience store located about 30 minutes away from the furniture store where the suspected man shows the slaying also occurred.
Lt. John Radke stated, “Within this locality, he strolled for countless miles, in all directions – north, south, east, and west.” “An individual out there is familiar with this individual. It is imperative that you step forward.”
Officer Mike Lopez from the department reported that the lifeless body of a woman was discovered inside a store due to allegations of an attack. The incident occurred on the 300 block of North La Brea, close to Beverly Boulevard, shortly before 2 p.M. On Thursday, prompting the Los Angeles Police Department to dispatch units.
Radke mentioned that the individual did not promptly notice the message, Kupfer had dispatched a text informing the person that there was an individual inside the store who was making her feel uncomfortable. A patron discovered Kupfer, from Los Angeles, lifeless at the location.
The exact cause of death was not immediately known, but officials stated that the individual was attacked with a knife and stabbed.
The LAPD said the victim was alone in the store and did not know the attacker. A motive has not been identified.
I firmly believe in that — this person responsible for this brutal and senseless crime walks among us. “Today we are here because of Brianna,” More stated on Tuesday.
“I’m turning to that community today to seek their assistance in resolving this crime.”
About Shawn Laval Smith
According to authorities, Smith, who was characterized as a wanderer, arrived in Southern California approximately two years ago and relied on public transportation for his travels.
Smith, who is currently facing charges in South Carolina for a supposed incident of aggressive driving, was documented in various legal and administrative documents. In the year 2019, he stands accused of discharging a signal pistol towards a different motorist, whose young child was seated in the rear of the vehicle that was intentionally targeted.
Prosecutors informed NBC4’s I-Team that the case was essentially on pause due to the pandemic. There have been no scheduled court hearings.
Prior to the reported series of crimes and arrests in North Carolina, there was an ongoing investigation into the alleged intent to kill through the shooting incidents that occurred in 2017.
According to court records, no criminal charges have been filed in this case. Smith was apprehended with stolen goods, issued a citation, and subsequently released, as stated by the police department. In October 2020, Smith was temporarily held by Covina police following a shoplifting incident at a Home Depot store, as indicated in jail records.
During the Kupfer murder, Smith was not being pursued by the authorities, seemingly due to the lack of a criminal case being filed in the Covina arrest and no active pursuit of a warrant in the South Carolina situation.
Remembering Brianna Kupfer
Mounted patrols were present in the neighborhood on Tuesday, where Kupfer passed away. As a tribute to her, mourners left flowers, candles, and various other belongings outside Croft House.
She recently worked on her master’s in architectural design at UCLA. She graduated from the University of Miami and went to Brentwood High School in LA. She said she was born and raised in Kupfer’s family.
TODAY informed Todd Kupfer, father of Kupfer, “We need to halt this. It’s simply unjust.” She was just beginning to embrace her individuality and emerged as a formidable young lady at the age of 24.
Her aunt mentioned that Kupfer had a generous nature and was adored. She is survived by her parents and three siblings.
Koretz presented a statement from the relatives during the press conference held on Tuesday.
The statement expressed that in all her endeavors, she aimed to offer, “this is precisely the kind of backing from the community. In accordance with Brianna’s desires, kindly make an effort to embrace and treasure your loved ones today.”