Homicide in Pacoima Related to Murder/Suicide in Pomona

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, August 24, 2000

"Homicide in Pacoima Related to Murder/Suicide in Pomona"

Pacoima – On Thursday, August 24, 2000, at approximately 7:20 a.m., Foothill Area Patrol Officers responded to a radio call regarding a possible homicide investigation. The officers arrived at 12685 Van Nuys Boulevard in Pacoima, where they discovered a male Caucasian lying in the parking lot area of the industrial complex. The Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and pronounced the victim dead from an apparent gunshot wound to the head. The victim was subsequently identified as Steven Kraut, a 41 year old, resident of Acton.

Foothill Area Detective’s further investigation revealed the decedent was an employee at the location. Detectives were also informed that an additional employee, who resides in Pomona, had not shown up for work. While on scene, Detectives were contacted by Pomona Police Department and received information they were investigating a Homicide/Suicide that had also occurred earlier in the morning in Pomona and may be related to the Pacoima homicide. Detectives confirmed the Pomona homicide victim was employed at the business where Mr. Kraut was also employed. Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department and the Pomona Police Department are currently conferring in an effort to establish the possible relationship of the homicides and suicide.

The investigation is being handled by Foothill Area Detectives, under the direction of Captain John Egan, Foothill Operations Support Division, Commanding Officer 818-834-3115.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.

For Release 2:00 pm PDT
August 24, 2000