The murder of Brianna Kupfer occurred on January 13, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.[1] Kupfer, a 24-year-old student at the University of California, Los Angeles, was murdered by Shawn Laval Smith.[2] Smith, a 31-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, stabbed Kupfer to death in the Croft House store where she was working in the Hancock Park neighborhood.[3] A few minutes later, a customer found Kupfer's stabbed body, covered in blood. Kupfer was pronounced dead that day.[4]
| Murder of Brianna Kupfer | |
|---|---|
 Publicity photo of Brianna Kupfer | |
| Location | 326 North La Brea Avenue, Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California, U.S |
| Coordinates | 34°04′38″N 118°20′37″W / 34.0772°N 118.3437°W |
| Date | January 13, 2022 1:36—1:50 p.m. (GMT-7) |
Attack type | Crime of opportunity, murder by stabbing |
| Weapon | Knife |
| Victim | Brianna Kupfer |
| Perpetrator | Shawn Laval Smith |
| Motive | None |
| Verdict | Guilty of both charges |
| Charges |
|
| Sentence | Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole |
The search for the murder suspect became one of the biggest in the Southern California region,[5] with a $250,000 reward offered, drawing public attention and media coverage.[6] On January 19, Smith was found and arrested in Pasadena, California,[7] and charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances and use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the murder. The prosecutor in charge of the case said that Kupfer's murder was motivated by Smith's hatred of women.[8]
In September 2024, a jury of the Los Angeles County found Smith guilty of both charges.[9] In October 2024, Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.[10]
Brianna Kupfer
editBrianna Nicole Kupfer was born on April 9, 1997,[a] she was one of four children born to Todd and Lori Kupfer.[12] Kupfer born and raised in Pacific Palisades, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[13] Kupfer attended Brentwood High School, where she was a member of various sports teams, captain of the cheerleading team, and participated in other extracurricular activities.[13][14] In 2019, Kupfer graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in public relations.[14] She enrolled in a graduate program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), to study architectural design.[2] Kupfer worked as a consultant at Croft House, a luxury furniture store in the neighborhood of Hancock Park.
Shawn Smith
editShawn Smith | |
|---|---|
 Mugshot of Shawn Smith | |
| Born | Shawn Laval Smith May 13, 1990 |
| Conviction(s) |
|
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole |
| Details | |
| Victims | Brianna Kupfer |
Shawn Laval Smith was born on May 13, 1990,[15] making him a 31-year-old man at the time of Kupfer's murder. Smith has an extensive criminal record and he was a homeless man.[3] At the time of the crime, Smith was out on bond awaiting trial in South Carolina with the charges of firing a flare gun at a vehicle with a child inside.[16][17] Several of his crimes were committed in South Carolina and California.
Crimes committed by Smith include:[3][18]
- In April 2010, Smith was arrested and charged with breach of trust in Charleston, South Carolina.
- In June 2013, Smith was charged with simple possession of marijuana in Charleston.
- In March 2016, Smith was arrested for assaulting a police officer in Charleston.
- In March 2019 - Smith is arrested and charged with entering a premises after a warning in Charleston.
- In June 2019 - Smith was arrested on a bench warrant and charged with entering a premises after receiving a warning in Charleston.
- In November 2019, Smith was charged with discharge of a firearm into a vehicle in Charleston.
- In October 2020, Smith was arrested with a misdemeanor charge in Covina, California.
- In 2021, Smith vandalized a car and was charged with assault a police officer and resisting arrest in Daly City, California.
Murder
edit
On the afternoon of January 13, 2022, Kupfer was working alone at Croft House. At some point, a man, identified as Shawn Smith, entered the store. Around 1:36 p.m., Kupfer texted a friend saying she was getting "bad vibes" from the man who entered the store. A few minutes later, Smith attacked Kupfer with a knife. Kupfer suffered 46 stab wounds, the autopsy revealed that 26 were stab wounds and 20 were incisions.[14][19]
Twenty minutes after the attack, a customer found Kupfer's stabbed body, covered in blood.[4] The Los Angeles Police Department described the murder as a "random attack of violence".[20] The knife was recovered at the scene, the blade was bent. Smith's DNA was found on the knife.[2] In a surveillance video, Smith was seen walking away from the Croft House store through the back door.[21] Another surveillance video recorded Smith shopping at a nearby 7-Eleven store 30 minutes after Kupfer's killing.[21]
Criminal proceedings
editSearch and arrest
editAfter Smith was identified, an extensive search began throughout the Southern California region.[5] Surveillance videos showing Smith were widely shared with the news media and the public.[22] The Los Angeles City Council offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Smith's arrest. Kupfer's relatives and other private groups increased the reward to $250,000.[22][23] Signs were made with Smith's photo so that anyone who saw him could call 911.[22]
On January 19, in Pasadena, California, Smith was found and arrested in connection with the murder of Brianna Kupfer.[24] Smith was charged with first-degree murder with special circumstances and use of a deadly weapon during the commission of the murder of Kupfer.[8] Smith's bail was set at $2,000.000.[3]
Trial
editSmith had wanted to represent himself at his murder trial, but Judge Escobedo revoked Smith's right to act as his own attorney at a hearing in June 2023 for misconduct.[25] Smith was represented by Defense Attorney Robert Haberer.[25]
On August 29, 2024, the murder trial started in the Los Angeles County Superior Court with Judge Mildred Escobedo.[26] Los Angeles County Deputy Attorney Habib Balian was in charge of the case.[27] Deputy Attorney Balian said in opening statements that Smith posed as a client to gain Kupfer's trust and then stabbed her to death.[28] Prosecutor presented audio of Smith saying he "hated women".[28] The Defense Attorney Haberer opted not to make an opening statement.[29]
On September 10, 2024, the jury found Shawn Smith guilty of both charges in relation to the murder of Brianna Kupfer.[9][27] In October 2024, Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.[10]
Reactions
edit
The murder of Brianna Kupfer and the search for her killer were widely reported in the news media and attracted national public attention.[6] The murder was also highly publicized and distributed on social media.[30]
At Croft House, the place where Kupfer worked and was murdered, a memorial was held for her with flowers, cards, and pictures.[31] Family members of Kupfer, founded the "Brianna Kupfer Foundation", a non-profit organization which aims to fight against violence against women and defend victims of violence.[32][33]
See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ Chan, Stella (January 21, 2022). "Suspect in killing of woman at Los Angeles store charged with murder". CNN.
- ^ a b c Neumann, Sean (September 11, 2024). "UCLA Grad Student Texted a Friend She Was Uncomfortable with Man in Store. Then He Stabbed Her 46 Times". People.
- ^ a b c d Winton, Richard; Solis, Nathan (January 21, 2022). "Man with history of mental illness, criminal record charged in Brianna Kupfer's murder". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b Hayes, Christal (January 19, 2022). "Man arrested in random knife slaying of UCLA student working at furniture store, LAPD says". USA Today.
- ^ a b Solis, Nathan (January 19, 2022). "Suspect in killing of Brianna Kupfer arrested in Pasadena". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b Mossburg, Cheri (January 27, 2022). "Los Angeles officials plead for help in solving the killing of teen girl dumped on the freeway". CNN.
- ^ Haskell, Josh; Suter, Leanne (January 20, 2022). "Man accused of fatally stabbing 24-year-old UCLA grad student arrested in Pasadena, police say". ABC7 Los Angeles.
- ^ a b Wenzke, Marissa (September 10, 2024). "Jury convicts murderer of Brianna Kupfer years after killing at Hancock Park furniture store". CBS News.
- ^ a b "Brianna Kupfer murder trial: Homeless man convicted of killing UCLA student at furniture store". Fox 11 Los Angeles. September 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Sharp, Julie (October 2, 2024). "Man gets life in prison for killing UCLA student at furniture store". CBS News.
- ^ Rice, Travis (April 9, 2022). "Family and friends remember Brianna Kupfer, UCLA grad student killed in furniture store attack". Fox 11 Los Angeles.
- ^ "Brianna Kupfer's parents speak out ahead of trial of her alleged murderer". Fox 11 Los Angeles. August 28, 2024.
- ^ a b Montemayor, Constanza; Wakura, Rio (February 26, 2022). "Loved ones remember Brianna Kupfer for compassionate nature, creative abilities". Daily Bruin.
- ^ a b c Winton, Richard; Solis, Nathan (August 2, 2022). "UCLA student Brianna Kupfer stabbed 26 times in deadly Hancock Park attack, autopsy shows". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "September 10, 2024: Shawn Laval Smith Found Guilty of Murdering a Furniture Store Employee in Hancock Park". Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. September 10, 2024.
- ^ Sheets, Megan (January 19, 2022). "Who is Shawn Laval Smith? Homeless convict wanted for stabbing UCLA grad student Brianna Kupfer to death". The Independent.
- ^ Kandel, Jason (September 11, 2024). "Killer 'hunting for a woman alone' stabbed UCLA grad student 46 times as she worked at furniture store and begged for her life". Law & Crime.
- ^ Sorace, Stephen (January 19, 2022). "Shawn Laval Smith: Suspected killer of Brianna Kupfer has a long history of arrests". Fox 11 Los Angeles.
- ^ Stringini, Mary (January 18, 2022). "Brianna Kupfer murder: UCLA student noticed 'bad vibe' from man prior to her death, text messages show". Fox 11 Los Angeles.
- ^ Adams, Abigail (January 15, 2022). "Woman, 24, Stabbed to Death While Working at Luxury L.A. Furniture Store in Random Daytime Attack". People.
- ^ a b "Shawn Smith Charged In Murder Of Brianna Kupfer Inside Hancock Park Furniture Store". CBS News. January 21, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Suspect ID'd As Shawn Laval Smith In Murder Of Brianna Kupfer, Hancock Park Furniture Store Employee Found Stabbed". CBS News. January 19, 2022.
- ^ Hurley, Bevan (January 18, 2022). "Brianna Kupfer: LAPD release new images of suspected killer as reward increases to over $250,000". The Independent.
- ^ Lenthang, Marlene; Stelloh, Tim (January 19, 2022). "Suspect in custody in stabbing death of student at L.A. furniture store". NBC News.
- ^ a b Jeong, Helen (August 29, 2024). "Trial begins in 2022 killing of UCLA student inside Hancock Park furniture store". NBC Los Angeles.
- ^ "Man charged in fatal stabbing of woman at Hancock Park store can't act as own attorney, judge rules". ABC7 Los Angeles. June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b Winton, Richard (September 11, 2024). "Man who fatally stabbed UCLA grad student Brianna Kupfer found guilty of murder". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b DuBose, Josh (August 29, 2024). "'A kind woman begging for her life': Trial in grisly killing of UCLA student begins". KTLA.
- ^ Gonzalez, Christina (August 29, 2024). "Brianna Kupfer murder trial begins: Prosecutors say alleged killer recorded attack". Fox 11 Los Angeles.
- ^ Hurley, Bevan (January 18, 2022). "Brianna Kupfer: Outpouring of grief and anger on social media over killing of UCLA student". The Independent.
- ^ Lobell, Kylie (January 21, 2022). "Local Jewish Women Organize Brianna Kupfer Memorial". Jewish Journal.
- ^ Powell, Amy (April 10, 2022). "Brianna Kupfer remembered with foundation focusing on social issues dear to slain UCLA grad student". ABC7 Los Angeles.
- ^ Rice, Travis (April 9, 2022). "Family and friends remember Brianna Kupfer, UCLA grad student killed in furniture store attack". Fox 11 Los Angeles.