The victim of a fatal shooting in a residential neighborhood in San Dimas was identified Thursday.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner’s office identified Nicholas Simbolon, 42, as the victim who was shot to death by an assailant inside his Tesla in his garage.
The shooting occurred around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in the 1800 block of Hawkbrook Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies who responded to the scene found Simbolon with a gunshot to the upper body, Lt. Arturo Spencer said.
Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities suspect it was a robbery, possibly carried out by someone who followed Simbolon home.
Spencer said some items were taken and investigators were exploring the possibility the victim was targeted in a follow-home robbery.
No details were released about what was stolen.
“My heart goes out to the family on this tremendous loss,” San Dimas Mayor Emmett Badar said in a statement. “This is a priority investigation and I have faith in our sheriff’s office to properly investigate and bring this suspect to justice.”
City officials said patrols were increased in the area, noting that “the city’s primary focus is providing safety for our community.”
Fanny Prentice, who said she was the victim’s aunt, told KTLA5 the man was survived by his wife and two children.
“I cannot even express my feelings how devastated we are right now,” she told the station.
She said the man’s wife discovered her husband’s body in his car.
The victim’s name was not immediately released, although Prentice said his name was Nicholas.
Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous calls can be made to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or tips may be sent to lacrimestoppers.org.