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LOS ANGELES, CA — A man shot and killed his brother in a Beverly Grove home Friday afternoon after witnessing him violently attack their 80-year-old mother with a baseball bat, authorities said.

The incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. near Alfred Street and Oakwood Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

ABC7 reported that the 61-year-old suspect had broken into his mother’s home using a baseball bat before launching the attack. When the suspect’s brother arrived at the scene, he found his

mother on the floor with the suspect on top of her, choking her.

According to LAPD Detective Samuel Marullo, the arriving brother initially fired a warning shot in an attempt to stop the assault. When the suspect did not relent, he fired again with a shotgun, fatally striking his sibling.

Investigators later learned that the suspect had allegedly made threats the night before but left before police could intervene. It does not appear he was living at the home at the time of the attack.

The suspect’s brother was initially taken into custody but was later determined to have acted in lawful self-defense. Authorities announced they would be releasing him without charges, ruling the shooting a justifiable homicide.

The elderly victim was transported to a hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. Police continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.

Self-Defense and Family Violence

This tragic case highlights the harsh reality that violent threats can sometimes come from within a family. When facing a deadly attack—especially against a vulnerable loved one—armed self-defense can be the only viable option.

One key takeaway from this incident is the importance of understanding the proper use of force in self-defense. While it’s understandable that someone might want to fire a warning shot—especially in a situation as emotionally charged as stopping a violent attack by a family member—doing so is never a good idea. Warning shots can be unpredictable, endangering bystanders and potentially escalating the situation. Instead, if deadly force is justified, it should be used decisively to stop the threat. For a deeper understanding of why warning shots are both legally and tactically risky, check out this guide on warning shots in self-defense and this article explaining why they should never be used.