L.A. Deputy Attorney kills wife and son, but daughter escapes through window, police say



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According to authorities and witnesses, a Los Angeles City lawyer killed his wife and son in their home in Northridge on Wednesday, but his daughter escaped before committing suicide.

Los Angeles police investigate the violence involving 60-year-old city lawyer Eric Lertzman. The attack surprised the city prosecutor's office, where Lertzman had been working for five years.

Authorities said they did not know why Eric Lertzman had opened fire, "but investigators believe that the recent loss of a loved one and the current health problems have played an important role," the LAPD said in a statement. communicated Wednesday evening.

"It's a horrible tragedy," City Atty. Mike Feuer said in a statement. "As we seek solutions to this problem, we mourn the victims and envelop those who remain of our love during this period of unbearable loss. Of course, we will provide our family of lawyers in the city with the advice and support they need. "

Here's what we know about the case:

How did the shooting take place?

Around 9:00 am, Los Angeles police responded to an assault call with a deadly weapon and shots in the 9600 block of Vanalden Avenue.

When the police arrived, they found three people dead in the house and an isolated survivor in the street, at a neighbor's house, according to the police.

Authorities said Lertzman shot and killed his wife Sandra, aged 60, in their master bedroom. He then crossed the hall and tried to shoot another woman, whom his neighbors described as his daughter. She escaped and locked herself in the hallway bathroom, police said.

Lertzman then shot and killed his 19-year-old son, Michael. During this period, her daughter escaped through the bathroom window and went to a neighbor's home, officials said. Lertzman returned to the master bedroom and was killed, according to Los Angeles police. The detectives recovered two firearms at home.

Neighbor Greg Demos told the Daily News that the woman ran home with her pajamas and said her father tried to shoot him.

"[She was] in her pajamas, her night dress, upset, confused, distraught, somewhat shocked, seemed a little embarrassed, [and] said: "I do not know what to say to you, Greg, but that's what just happened at home and I do not know what to do," Demos told the newspaper. She said, "My father shot me, and my mother and my brother are still inside. "

What do we know about Lertzman?

On the Instagram page of Michael Lertzman, he published two weeks ago the death of his grandmother, Phyllis Lertzman. She died on August 26th. according to his obituary. Eric Lertzman was one of his three sons, according to the obituary.

On social media, many friends of Michael Lertzman wrote about the warmth and kindness of the young man.

"Michael was a brilliant light in our community, who always smiled and brought joy to all his brothers and all those who met him," Alan Dreiman, president of the Cal State Northridge chapter of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, posted on the group's Facebook page.

Camp Alonim, a program from the Brandeis Bardin Jewish American campus at Simi Valley, explains how Michael was a long-time camper and a staff member.

"Mikey's personal warmth, sweet spirit, broad smile and infectious enthusiasm will never be forgotten," the message reads. "He will always be a beloved member of our camp Alonim family. We send our deepest condolences to his sister Rachel (CIT 10) and to the many people Mikey has been touched by. "

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