Woman Killed In Upscale LA Furniture Store During Random Daytime Attack

Police are searching for an unidentified man they say murdered a young woman during daytime hours at the upscale Los Angeles furniture store where she worked.

Brianna Kupfer, 24, was stabbed to death last Thursday in a random afternoon attack at the Croft House furniture retailer in Hancock Park, according to CBS Los Angeles. Wilshire Patrol officers responded to a call for an ambulance after an assault with a deadly weapon was reported shortly before 2:00 p.m. to the La Brea Avenue business.

The customer who reported the disturbance met officers at the scene, where Kupfer was declared dead, according to the LAPD.

“Detectives have determined the suspect was not known to the victim and was a random walk-in to the store,” stated the LAPD. “The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled the scene through the back door.”

Brianna Kupfer of Pacific Palisades was a UCLA graduate who studied architectural design, according to Fox 11. At the time of her death, she was a consultant for the  furniture business.

She was working alone when the attack occurred.

LAPD said it appears to be a “random” attack and that the suspect is believed to be homeless.

The owner of a chiropractic practice next door to Croft House told CBS Los Angeles that the suspect entered her business shortly before the murder.

“He came in and asked a couple of questions: ‘Do you do orthopedics here?’ What kind of care we provide, and then he left, ” said Dr. Jennifer Botelho. “So he was just here for a few minutes.”

Dr. Botelho said she’d recently heightened security because a few customers entered her business and gave her an uneasy feeling.

“It’s terrifying,” Botelho said of Briana Kupfer’s murder. “It’s horrible. She’s such a young girl. We feel so horrible for Brianna’s family and hope we can catch this guy.”

Police said the suspect was last seen on surveillance video as he exited Croft House before heading northbound in the rear alleyway. Fox 11 obtained a copy of the surveillance video, which shows an individual walking in dark clothes.

Police say the suspect is a tall and thin Black male last seen wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, an N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans, and dark shoes. He was carrying a dark-colored backpack when leaving the crime scene.

“She was a kind soul and always was trying to make herself better and everything around her better,” said Brianna’s father. “She cared about people.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact LAPD West Bureau Homicide detectives at 213-382-9470 or 1-877-LAPD-27-7 (1-877-527-3247).