Crime

Officers from West Los Angeles Police Station found two men dead in the 2400 block of Colby Avenue last week, and after an investigation, detectives determined that the men died as a result of a murder/suicide.

At 12:10 a.m. on Aug. 11, 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 9-millimeter 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.

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 (877)527-3247. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-8477. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 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.

Tags | Colby Avenue, Murder/Suicide, West Los Angeles Police Station