Los Angeles Eric Lertzman shoots and kills wife Sandra Lertzman, son Michael Lertzman then committed suicide
The Los Angeles Police Department identified the Los Angeles deputy city attorney who shot and killed his wife and son Wednesday morning at their suburban Northridge home before killing himself as Eric Lertzman.
Lertzman, 60, shot and killed his wife, Sandra, 60, in their master bedroom. He fired shots at his daughter before shooting and killing his son Michael Lertzman, 19, while the daughter hid in a locked hallway bathroom.
Detectives confirmed that recovered two guns from the scene, calling the crime a murder suicide.
“The motive behind this tragic murder-suicide is still under investigation, but investigators believe the recent loss of a loved one and ongoing health issues played a significant role,” the LAPD said in a news release Wednesday evening.
The motive was not clear, but Lt. Mike Kozak said in a news briefing that it was a “family violence situation.”
Eric Lertzman with wife Sandy Lertzman
On Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer’s office released a statement on what he called the “Northridge tragedy,” writing, “It is with shock and profound sadness that we announce that today Deputy City Attorney Eric Lertzman was involved in a tragic incident which we understand resulted in the death of his wife, his adult son and himself.”
“This is a horrible tragedy,” Feuer said in the statement. “As we search for answers to how this could happen, we mourn the victims and envelop those left behind with our love during this time of unbearable loss. Of course we will provide members of our city attorney family with needed counseling and support.”
On Michael Lertzman’s Instagram page, he’d posted two weeks ago about his grandmother, Phyllis Lertzman, passing away. She died Aug. 26, according to her obituary. Eric Lertzman was one of her three sons, according to the obituary.
Chesapeake Sheriff’s Deputy, Jenis Plummer Arrested for Smuggling Heroin into Jail
Alabama: Sunshine Pauly killed by her child’s therapist, Jonathan Coffman, who then killed himself
Pastor Jeremiah Omolara murdered in Nigeria, militants kidnapped his wife and son
