Update: Los Angeles police have identified Brianna Kupfer’s killer as 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith.
Smith is still at large and police say he is armed and dangerous and “highly likely to be using public transportation.”
He is described as a Black male, 6-3, 190 pounds.
The NY Post reports Smith was released from jail on $1,000 in October of 2020 on a misdemeanor charge.
Police named the suspect on Tuesday night, hours after a record-breaking $250,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture.
Originally published on Jan. 18, 2022:
Authorities announced a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect who fatally stabbed UCLA student Brianna Kupfer.
$200,000 of the $250,000 reward was raised by donors.
Brianna, 24, was attacked while she worked alone at furniture store Croft House in the upscale Fairfax neighborhood on Thursday, Jan. 13.
Police say the suspect walked into the store and stabbed Brianna around 1:50 p.m. before leaving through the back door.
A customer found Brianna lying in a pool of blood about 20 minutes later. She was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Brianna’s grieving father, Todd Kupfer slammed liberal politicians for giving the streets back to the criminals.
“I blame what’s endemic in our society right now, is that everybody seems to be oriented on giving back rights and bestowing favor on people that rob others of their rights,” Todd Kupfer told Fox News.
At a press conference on Tuesday, LAPD Lt. John Radke revealed Brianna had texted a friend to say someone in the store was “giving her a bad vibe”.
Authorities released surveillance footage of the suspect — believed to be a homeless man — seen calmly leaving the furniture store.
The same suspect is seen buying a vape pen at 7-Eleven about 30 minutes after the murder. He wore a black hoodie, black jogging pants and carried a black backpack.
Croft House was still closed on Tuesday. Mourners left dozens of flowers on the sidewalk in front of the store. A display inside the storefront window included candles and more flowers around a portrait of Brianna.
Riley Rea, co-owner of Croft House, told the LA Times that Brianna was beloved by her coworkers.
“She was mature beyond her years.”
Anyone with information on this attack should contact West Bureau Homicide investigators at 213-382-9470; 877-LAPD-247; or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/ma7LBZ8WZ3
— contact LAPD West Bureau Homicide 213-382-9470 (@BriannaKupfer) January 19, 2022
