A 102-year-old World War II veteran was killed in his California home on Thursday, according to his family.
Jason Shakib told KTLA that his grandfather Youssef Mahboubianfard was found stabbed to death in his garage in Encino. Police reported Mahboubianfard’s age as 102.
“I had no idea there was a guy with a machete running around killing people,” Shakib said. “He came to this country from Iran decades and decades ago and they’ve been living peacefully at Alonzo Place for 30 years.”
Police have arrested 47-year-old Adam Dimmerman on suspicion of the murder. He has also been charged in a separate attack nearby, in which the victim was assaulted but not killed.
His bail was set at $2 million, officials said.
It’s unclear if Dimmerman had ever met Mahboubian before, or what his motive was.
The victim’s family say it was a random attack by a ‘psychopath.’
According to authorities, officers responded to a report on Alonzo Place around 12:50 p.m. and found an elderly man “with numerous contusions and lacerations inside his residence.”
Mahboubianfard was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
A 102 year old grandfather is murdered by an axe wielding suspect who terrorized an Encino neighborhood injuring a second victim.
— Leanne Suter (@abc7leanne) March 19, 2021
Stunned family members speaking out tonight
Remembering a man who dedicated his life to his family.#encino #murder @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/oOw9V39elr
It is so far unclear if Dimmerman has any kind of criminal record.
He is being held in custody.
The neighborhood where the attacks took place is affluent; the Mahboubian’s home is now worth $1.8 million.
