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Murder in Los Angeles, California, January 13, 2022

Brianna Kupfer, 24

UCLA grad student working alone at a Hancock Park furniture store. Stabbed by a man who walked in off the street.

Released by a judgeUS citizen
  1. Original charge
    Discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle
    November 13, 2019
  2. Released
    $50,000 bond (posted fraction)
    November 23, 2019
  3. 782 days later
    Murder
    January 13, 2022

What happened

Smith walked into the Croft House furniture store on La Brea Avenue and fatally stabbed Brianna Kupfer, who was working alone. He fled on foot; police found her body two hours later when a customer entered the store. Smith was on the run for a week before being captured in Pasadena. Convicted October 2024 and sentenced to life without parole.

The release decision

On November 13, 2019, Shawn Laval Smith was charged with discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle. Charleston County General Sessions Judge Pending Identification ordered the release on November 23, 2019. Terms: $50,000 bond (posted fraction). Prosecutors had asked for higher bond / detention. The defendant had 11 prior arrests at the time.

The defendant's record

At least 11 prior arrests in Charleston, SC dating to 2010. Charges included assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, assault on a police officer, larceny, possession of a stolen vehicle. Free on $50,000 SC bond for shooting into an occupied car at the time of the murder.

Sources