Defendant faces possibility of life in prison without parole. 

September 11, 2024 – LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Shawn Laval Smith was convicted on Tuesday in the guilt phase of killing 24-year-old Brianna Kupfer while she worked at a furniture store in Hancock Park in 2022.

“Brianna Kupfer was a promising young woman whose life was tragically taken far too soon,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I thank the jury for their thoughtful deliberation and dedication in finding the defendant guilty.

“A bright and talented 24-year-old UCLA student, Brianna was dedicated to her studies in architectural design, with her whole future ahead of her,” the D.A. said. “Our hearts are with Brianna’s family, who have shown incredible strength and resilience throughout this harrowing ordeal.”

A jury deliberated for just over an hour in case BA502518 before finding Shawn Laval Smith (34) guilty of one count of murder and a special-circumstance allegation of lying in wait. The jury also found that the defendant used a deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife.

The trial will now move into a non-jury sanity phase, set to begin Oct. 2. A status conference is scheduled for Sept. 24, Dept. 126 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Smith faces the possibility of life in prison without parole. The defendant is being held without bail.

On Jan. 13, 2022, Smith entered a furniture store in the 300 block of North La Brea Ave. where Kupfer was working alone. Smith acted as a customer before stabbing her and fleeing the scene.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney