Man Fatally Shoots Brother to Save Elderly Mother in Beverly Grove, Police Say

Tragic Family Dispute Ends in Justifiable Homicide

On Friday, Los Angeles police responded to a shooting at a home on the 400 block of North Alfred Street at around 1:25 p.m. The incident was sparked by a family dispute that led to a shocking and tragic outcome.

Attack on Elderly Mother

According to police, the 61-year-old suspect arrived at his 80-year-old mother’s home armed with a baseball bat. He began attacking and choking his mother, leaving her on the floor.

Heroic Response by Younger Son

The 80-year-old mother managed to call her younger son, a 58-year-old man, who was working nearby, for help. He rushed to his mother’s home and arrived at the scene, where he saw his mother being choked by his older brother.

Warning Shot and Justifiable Homicide

The younger son fired a warning shot with a shotgun to try to stop the assault, but his older brother continued to choke their mother. Fearing for his mother’s life, the younger son turned the shotgun on his brother and fired a single shot, killing him.

Justifiable Homicide

Detective Samuel Marullo from the Los Angeles Police Department explained that the younger son had no choice but to take his brother’s life to save their mother’s. “The shooter saved his mother’s life. He had no choice, but to kill his own brother. And being choked at the age of 80 while your face is being smashed into the ground? It would have surely caused her death.”

Investigation Ongoing

The younger son remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. The LAPD confirmed that the fatal shooting is not being treated as a criminal case, and the son will be released.

Neighbor Recounts the Incident

A neighbor, Vincent Scarelli, recalled hearing the commotion and the sound of gunfire. “It was like a shotgun. It didn’t sound like a pistol. They were big deep sounds and there were two of them. It’s just a tragedy for that family.”

Mother’s Condition

The mother was taken to the hospital with a head injury but is expected to survive and will be released soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What happened during the incident?
The 61-year-old suspect attacked and choked his 80-year-old mother with a baseball bat, prompting her younger son to shoot and kill him to save her life.
* Is the younger son a suspect?
No, the LAPD has confirmed that the fatal shooting is not being treated as a criminal case, and the son will be released.
* What is the mother’s condition?
The mother is expected to survive and will be released soon from the hospital.