Freddy Snyder is also accused of arming himself with two rifles and carjacking his mother 

May 29, 2026 – LANCASTER, CA – A Llano man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a 67-year-old Caltech astrophysicist earlier this year.

“Carl Grillmair was a dedicated Caltech scientist who was ruthlessly shot and killed outside his own home,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “This senseless act of violence has devastated his family and cut short a life devoted to advancing science and improving the world around him. We will ensure justice is served for this victim and his loved ones.”

Freddy Snyder (30) is charged in case 26AVCF00232 with one felony count each of murder, carjacking and first-degree residential burglary. It is further alleged that Snyder personally used a rifle in the commission of the crime. He pleaded not guilty to all counts during his arraignment on May 26, 2026.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 5 in Department A2 of the Antelope Valley Courthouse. The defendant remains in custody with bail set at $3.175 million.

Snyder is accused of arming himself with two rifles in the early morning hours of February 16 and demanding his mother’s car key inside their home. When she refused, he allegedly fired a shot into the ceiling before taking the keys and driving off in her vehicle.

Snyder then allegedly drove to the nearby home of Grillmair, who went outside after being alerted to the vehicle in his driveway. While on his front porch, Grillmair, an astronomer at Caltech’s IPAC science and data center, was shot once in the neck and died.

If convicted as charged, Snyder faces up to life in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jeremy Davis of the Antelope Valley Branch and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office