LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles county prosecutors have charged a man who shot and killed his son with premeditated murder, alleging that he committed the crime because his son was gay.
The District Attorney's office said Friday that 69-year-old Shehada Issa had threatened to kill his 29-year-old son, Amir, several times because of his sexual orientation.
Issa was arrested Tuesday after Los Angeles police officers found the young man's body outside a North Hills house. Issa's wife was found stabbed to death inside the house.
Detectives said Issa told officers he found his wife's body in a bathroom. He said he shot his son in self-defense because the young man was threatening him with a knife.
Detectives said no knife was found at the scene.
An investigation into who killed Issa's wife continues.