The father of UCLA student Brianna Kupfer, who was fatally stabbed in a Los Angeles furniture store, has hit out at politicians for failing to curb rising crime.
Speaking to Fox News, the late woman’s father, Todd Kupfer, said: “Crime is really on the rise, and we have a lot of criminals on the streets who shouldn’t be coming out.”
The 24-year-old graduate design student was stabbed to death on Thursday after an unidentified man entered the high-end “Croft House” furniture store where she worked, officials said.
She was found dead on the floor by a customer who walked into the furniture store 20 minutes later.
Mr Kupfer blamed politicians for their inaction as the city’s crime rate rises, Fox News reported.
He said: “We have a lot of politicians who have kind of forgotten people and think the key to getting elected is to support the lowest rung of our society and give them rights and that’s in sort of the answer to get votes.”
The grieving father said his daughter was a caring soul who was always trying to make everything around her better.
“She was a caring soul and always tried to improve herself and make everything around her better,” Kupfer said, the report adds.
“She cared about people.”
A resident of Pacific Palisades, Kupfer worked part-time for about a year at the store as a consultant.
Los Angeles police said the suspect was not known to Kupfer and was wandering randomly through the store.
“The suspect attacked the victim with a knife and fled through the back door. There is no known motive at this time,” police said in a statement.
The suspect is identified as a black male of unknown age wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, white N-95 mask, dark skinny jeans and dark shoes. He was also carrying a dark backpack.
LAPD released this photo of the man accused of stabbing Brianna Kupfer to death
(Los Angeles Police Department)
“Based on the evidence uncovered by detectives, the suspect is believed to be homeless,” Los Angeles police said.
Police officials are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspect and contacting West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470.
“After hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477),” police said.
Officials said tipsters can also contact Crime Stoppers by texting the phone number 274637 (CRIMES on most keyboards) with a cell phone.
