Los Angeles: Officers from West Los Angeles
Police Station found two men dead in the 2400 block of Colby Avenue.
After a thorough investigation, detectives determined that the men died
as a result of a murder/suicide.
On Saturday, August 11, 2012,
at 12:10 a.m., officers responded to an “Ambulance Shooting Call.”
When they arrived, they saw 80-year-old Alphonse Bernardin Jr. inside
the home seated in a chair with two gunshot wounds to his chest. He
was pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Los Angeles Fire
Department.
Officers also found a 56-year-old man lying on
the ground just outside the rear door of the residence. He was
pronounced dead from an apparent single, self-inflicted gunshot wound
to the head. A 9mm semi-automatic pistol was found next to the
suspect.
According to West Bureau Homicide detectives, the
suspect was renting a converted detached garage located to the rear of
the residence. Detectives learned that over the past few weeks, the
suspect and victim have been involved in an ongoing landlord/tenant
dispute.
For reference, the suspect’s name is being withheld pending notifications to next-of-kin.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact
West Bureau Homicide detectives at 213-382-9470. During non-business
hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7
(877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact
Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most
keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the
letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on
"webtips" and follow the prompts.
