Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Eric Lertzman, 60, shot and killed his wife and son before turning the gun on himself at the family’s Northridge, California home on September 11. Eric tried to kill his daughter Rachel Lertzman too but she hid in a bathroom and escaped through a window.
Eric, his wife Sandra Lertzman, and their 19-year-old son Michael Lertzman were found dead inside the home.
Officers were dispatched to the 9600 block of Vanalden Avenue around 9 a.m. after receiving a call of a shooting in progress, The LA Times reports.
Eric shot and killed his wife Sandra in their master-bedroom. Eric then walked across the hallway and tried to shoot his adult daughter, but she managed to escape by locking herself in a bathroom and escaping through a window.
Eric then shot and killed Michael. After getting out of the house Eric’s daughter ran to seek help from a neighbor.
Eric returned to the master-bedroom where he turned the weapon on himself, ending his own life. Police believe on-going health issues as well as the recent loss of a loved one were a significant factor in Eric’s actions.