Law enforcement patrols were increased Wednesday in a San Dimas neighborhood where a man in his 40s was fatally shot inside his garage in what authorities suspect was a robbery, possibly carried out by someone who followed the victim home.
The shooting occurred around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in the garage of a home in the 1800 block of Hawkbrook Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Deputies who responded to the scene found the victim with a gunshot to the upper body, Lt. Arturo Spencer said.
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Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Neighbors told reporters the victim was shot inside his Tesla in the garage of the home.
Spencer said some items were taken, and investigators were exploring the possibility the victim was targeted in a follow-home robbery.
No details were released about what was stolen.
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"My heart goes out to the family on this tremendous loss," San Dimas Mayor Emmett Badar said in a statement. "This is a priority investigation and I have faith in our sheriff's office to properly investigate and bring this suspect to justice."
City officials said patrols were increased in the area, noting that "the city's primary focus is providing safety for our community."
Fanny Prentice, who said she was the victim's aunt, said the man was survived by his wife and two children.
"I cannot even express my feelings how devastated we are right now," she said.
She said the man's wife discovered her husband's body in his car.
The victim's name was not immediately released, although Prentice said his name was Nicholas.
Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or tips may be sent to lacrimestoppers.org.
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