Brianna Kupfer murder suspect Shawn Laval Smith is arrested at bus stop after UCLA student stabbed to death
A MAN suspected of murdering a UCLA student was arrested at a bus stop on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) were hunting for Shawn Laval Smith, 31, in connection to the murder of 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer on January 13.
Smith was arrested by Pasadena police officers on Wednesday after a citizen recognized the man from his wanted poster, TMZ reported.
The LAPD confirmed that the man was detained at 11.50am. He was at a bus stop when he was cuffed, Fox News reported.
Brianna was stabbed to death in a seemingly random attack as she worked alone at a furniture store in Hancock Park in broad daylight, around 1.50pm.
Investigators said a customer found her body inside the store and called 911 shortly after she was stabbed.
“She was there by herself,“ said Detective Herman Frettlohr. “She was attacked by the suspect and she was killed.”
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In a press release, LAPD said the victim didn’t know her attacker and there is currently no motive at this time.
Kupfer had apparently felt that something was off with the man who had walked into the store.
Police said the man was seen walking around the area, entering several stores before walking into Croft House. It’s believed he may have attacked Kupfer after realizing she was alone.
Lt. John Radke said the grad student texted a friend the day she was murdered, saying that there was someone inside the Croft House store who was “giving her a bad vibe.”
“Regrettably that person did not see the text immediately,” the lieutenant said.
FAMILY ‘COMPLETELY BROKEN’
Kupfer’s family said she was born and raised in Los Angeles, attended Brentwood High School, and graduated from the University of Miami.
She was attending UCLA to receive her master’s degree in architectural design.
The 24-year-old was described as ambitious with a big heart.
“She was a kind soul and always was trying to make herself better and everything around her better,” her father Todd Kupfer said. “She cared about people.”
She is survived by her parents and three siblings, including her 21-year-old sister who is completely broken over the loss, Todd Kupfer said.
Riley Rea, co-owner of Croft House, told the Los Angeles Times that he was absolutely devastated for her and her family.
“It just seems so disgusting and unexpected,” he said.
“Really there are no words to say how shocked we are to lose such a wonderful person.”
A vigil for Kupfer is planned for January 20 at 1.30pm at Croft House, local ABC affiliate KABC reported.