A man in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, fatally shot his brother after witnessing him attack their 80-year-old mother with a baseball bat. The shooting was deemed justifiable by authorities, as the man was acting in self-defense to protect his mother from serious harm.

LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE

BEVERLY GROVE, CA (3-minute read) — A tragic family dispute in Beverly Grove ended in a fatal shooting after a man used a firearm to protect his 80-year-old mother from a violent attack. The incident occurred just before 1:30 p.m. on Friday near Alfred Street and Oakwood Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities say the 61-year-old suspect used a baseball bat to force his way into his mother’s home before launching a brutal attack. His brother arrived at the scene and found their mother on the ground with the suspect on top of her, choking her.

“When he arrived, he saw his mother on the floor. He saw his 61-year-old brother on top of her, choking her,” said LAPD Detective Samuel Marullo. In an effort to stop the assault, the man initially fired a warning shot. When the suspect continued his attack, the brother fatally shot him with a shotgun.

Police noted that the suspect had made threats the night before but left before officers arrived. It appears he did not live at the residence. Initially, authorities took the shooter into custody, but after reviewing the case, they determined the shooting to be a justifiable homicide, and he was set to be released.

The elderly mother was transported to a hospital and is currently in stable condition. Investigators are still working to understand what motivated the attack.

This case highlights the difficult legal and moral aspects of self-defense, particularly when it involves family members. While the shooter acted to protect his mother, the emotional toll of such an event is immeasurable.

Safety Tip: If you own a firearm for home defense, it’s crucial to understand local self-defense laws and when the use of deadly force is legally justified. Training and situational awareness can make a difference in high-stress situations.