Fatal Shooting Not Linked To Other Malibu Park Crimes: Officials

CALABASAS, CA – There is no evidence linking last Friday's fatal shooting of a father camping with his young daughters at Malibu Creek State Park with earlier shootings in the area, Sheriff's Homicide detectives said Friday – but a possible link has not been ruled out.

Tristan Beaudette, 35, of Irvine, was shot in the head while inside a tent with his two daughters, ages 2 and 4, in the popular campground at Malibu Creek State Park. Detectives have not revealed the exact time of the shooting, but were summoned to the campground at 4:44 a.m. June 22, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Beaudette's killer remains at large, and a motive for the shooting is unknown.

"Homicide detectives are advising at this time there is no evidence to suggest the past shootings are related to the June 22, 2018, homicide," the sheriff's department said Friday in a statement. "However, due to the fact that the motive is unknown, a link between the past shootings and the murder will be explored as part of the homicide investigation.

"Due to the ongoing investigation, we are unable to give out details of each incident, but we can provide the dates," the statement said.

The dates of the crimes include Nov. 3, 2016; Nov. 9, 2016; Jan. 7, 2017; and July 30, 2017 under California State Parks Department jurisdiction, and July 22, 2017; June 6, 2017; and June 18, 2018 under sheriff's department jurisdiction.

Related: 5 Shootings Near Malibu Park Within 2 Years, Are They Connected?

Beaudette, a chemist who worked in the pharmaceutical industry, had been camping with his daughters, who were unharmed. Their mother was reportedly studying for an exam and did not make the trip.

After Beaudette was discovered shot to death the campground was closed as a precaution, but trails in the area, including the paths to the "M A S H" filming site, remained open.

A fundraiser has also been set up for the Beaudette family while they recover from their loss. For more information or to donate to the Go Fund Me page, click here.

Deputies asked anyone with information on the crime to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service contributed to this post; Go Fund Me is a Patch promotional partner; Images courtesy of the Go Fund Me