Landlord/Tenant Dispute Turns to Murder/Suicide NR12384SF

Los Angeles:  Officers from West Los Angeles Police Station found two men dead in the 2400 block of Colby Avenue.  After a thorough investigation, detectives determined that the men died as a result of a murder/suicide.

On Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 12:10 a.m., 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 9mm 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.

For reference, 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 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) 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.