Deputy City Attorney Kills Wife And Son In Murder Suicide: LAPD

NORTHRIDGE, CA — A Los Angeles deputy city attorney shot and killed his wife and son at the family's Northridge home before turning the gun on himself Wednesday morning, police confirmed. The couple's daughter managed to flee from her father's gunfire to get help from a neighbor.

The tragedy rattled the community and left the Los Angeles city attorney's office reeling.

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office issued a statement identifying one of the victims as Deputy City Attorney Eric Lertzman, 60, his wife and his adult son. The coroner's office identified the other victims as Sandra Lertzman, 60, and Michael Lertzman, 19.

Officers were called to a home in the 9600 block of Vanalden Avenue on a "shots fired" call shortly after 9 a.m. They entered the home and found the bodies of two men and a woman, said Los Angeles police Officer Jeff Lee. Investigators recovered at least two handguns at the scene, according to LAPD.

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement late Wednesday night describing how the murders unfolded in chilling detail.

"The investigation ultimately revealed that 60-year-old Eric Lertzman,had shot and killed his wife Sandra in their master-bedroom. He then walked across the hall where he attempted to shoot a female adult. She escaped and locked herself in the hallway bathroom. Eric then shot and killed his 19-year-old son, Michael,' according to the LAPD.

Lertzman's daughter managed to climb out the bathroom window and flee to a neighbor's house for help.

"Eric returned to the master-bedroom where he turned the weapon on himself, ending his own life," according to police. "The motive behind this tragic murder/suicide is still under investigation, but investigators believe the recent loss of a loved one and on-going health issues played significant roll."

Lertzman was mourning the recent death of his mother at the time of the killings. Lertzman joined the City Attorney's Office in 2005.

"This is a horrible tragedy," City Attorney Mike Feuer said in a 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."

A neighbor told reporters that a woman -- believed to be Lertzman's adult daughter -- came out of the house claiming her father had tried to shoot her.

"(She was) in her pajamas, her sleeping attire, upset, confused, distraught, somewhat in shock, seemed like a little bit embarrassed, (and) said `I don't know what to tell you, Greg, but this is what just happened in my house and I don't know what to do,"' Greg Demos told KTLA5. "She said, `My dad took a shot at me, and my mom and my brother are still inside."'

Police recovered two handguns from inside the residence.

"From what I understand, the husband had some medical issues," neighbor Bob Nolan told Channel 5.

City News Service and Staff Reporter Paige Austin contributed to this report.