The victim texted a friend that someone in the store gave her a “bad vibe.”
Los Angeles police are searching for the man they say killed a 24-year-old woman while she worked alone in a furniture store.
The suspect, believed to be homeless, attacked Brianna Kupfer with a knife just before 2 p.m. Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
He fled through the store’s back door and Kupfer’s body was soon found on the floor by a customer, police said.
Police on Tuesday identified the suspect as 31-year-old Shawn Laval Smith, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous.
There is no known motive, police said, adding that the suspect had randomly walked into the store.
Kupfer texted a friend that afternoon saying someone in the store was giving her a “bad vibe,” LAPD Lt. John Radke said at a Tuesday news conference.
“Brianna, who was born, educated and was building her career here in Los Angeles, was a rising star in this community,” Kupfer’s family said in a statement read on their behalf at the news conference. “Brianna was a smart, funny, driven and kind soul who only wanted to better herself and her community on a daily basis.”
The slaying has “shaken and shocked our community to its core,” Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz said at the news conference.
“We will find this vicious criminal,” he vowed.
Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD at 213-382-9470. A reward of $250,000 has been offered.