Palisadian Woman Killed in Hancock Park, Suspect Identified

By LILY TINOCO | Reporter

Palisadian Brianna Kupfer was stabbed to death during a daytime attack while working at luxury furniture store Croft House in Hancock Park on Thursday, January 13. The Los Angeles Police Department, West Bureau Homicide detectives are actively investigating the murder.

Wilshire Patrol officers responded to a call of an “ambulance assault with a deadly weapon” on Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:50 p.m., according to LAPD. The officers met with the reporting party, a customer who had entered the store, and discovered Kupfer deceased.

According to Lieutenant John Radtke, who is in charge of Operations of the West Bureau Homicide Unit, the 24-year-old Kupfer was working alone at the time of the murder.

Detectives have determined the suspect did not know Kupfer and was a “random walk-in” to the store. Radtke said the unit believes the suspect may be homeless.

Police are still looking for the suspect, who was identified Tuesday evening, January 18.

LAPD identified the suspect as Shawn Laval Smith who is six feet, three inches tall, weighs 190 pounds and is 31 years old.

Smith is considered armed and dangerous, and highly likely to be using public transportation.

“Special attention should be given to bus stops and train platforms,” according to LAPD.

Smith has reportedly been in Pasadena, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Covina, San Diego, San Francisco and several other locations in Southern California.

“Additional officers have been deployed to the area every day to look for the killer,” Radtke said to the Palisadian-Post. “We are doing our best to find the suspect but as always need help from the community.”

Kupfer was a graduate of both Brentwood High School and the University of Miami. Her father told CBS LA that she was working on a degree in architectural design at UCLA while she worked as a design consultant at the Croft House.

A memorial began to grow outside of the furniture store on Friday, January 14, as friends, family and community members paid their respects to Kupfer.

“The entire Croft House family is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of our beloved team member,” Croft House LA shared in a statement. “Our La Brea Avenue showroom will be closed until further notice to allow our team members to drive and process this unthinkable tragedy.”

Kupfer grew up in the Palisades, where she lived with her father Todd, her mother Lori, her sister Mikaela and her brothers Tucker and Brandon.

“Brianna was an incredibly creative, loving person,” her brother Tucker said to the Post. “She made everyone she talked to smile because she was so full of love and empathy.”

LAPD announced that a $50,000 reward was being offered for information, Tuesday morning, January 18.

Shortly after, more than $200,000 was donated in addition to the $50,000 offer from the city—Now, a combined $250,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture and conviction of Smith.

“We will find this vicious criminal, we will get him arrested and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” Councilmember Paul Koretz said at a press conference on January 18.

Koretz also read an excerpt on behalf of the Kupfer family.

“Brianna, who was born, educated and was building her career here in Los Angeles, was a rising star in this community … She embodied everything that is great about Los Angeles and the entire city should grieve over this senseless act,” he read.

If located, detain and notify Detective D. Vinton of the West Bureau Homicide Unit at 213-382-9470. After hours, contact LAPD Department Operations Center at 213-484-6700. Contact West Bureau Homicide investigators at 213-382-9470.