LAPD Name Suspect, Announce Reward in Hunt for Grad Student’s Killer

The Los Angeles Police Department has identified a suspect and issued a $250,000 reward in connection with the killing of 24-year-old store employee and grad student Brianna Kupfer in La Brea, Los Angeles, on January 13. Footage released as part of a public appeal for information shows the suspect, 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith, making a purchase inside a 7-Eleven store 30 minutes after the fatal attack, police said. Smith should be considered “armed and dangerous,” police said. Kupfer was working alone in the Croft House Furniture store in La Brea on January 13 when she was attacked, the Los Angeles Times said. Kupfer, who was a grad student at UCLA, was declared dead at the scene after she was found at around 1:50 pm by a customer. The LAPD initially announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Smith’s arrest and prosecution. That reward was increased to $250,000 with contributions from the community, the Los Angeles Times said. Credit: Los Angeles Police Department via Storyful