Father alleged to have shot son for being gay

The Los Angeles County District Attorney Office have announced that a 69-year-old man from North Hills is suspected of killing his son because he was gay.

The man’s wife was found stabbed to death in his house where the shooting had taken place.

Shehadeh Khali Issa told police that on Tuesday he found his wife dead in the bathroom of their home. He then heard noises outside, armed himself with a gun and ran into his 29-year-old son, Amir who he claimed threatened him with a knife. The shooting then took place.

Speaking to the Daily News, Detective John Doerbecker said “He claimed (the son) was armed with a knife, and there was no knife to be found (there).”

“It was a horrible family tragedy.”

Doerbecker also said that there had been problems between the father and son who was previously reported to vandalizing the home. He explained that the couple were in the process of evicting the son from their house.

Neighbours have said that the father and son could be heard screaming at each other frequently.

Prosecutors allege that the murder was committed because of the victims sexual orientation and was considered a hate crime.

Issa allegedly threatened to kill his son on earlier occasions because he was gay.

An investigation into the death of the victim’s mother is ongoing and, if convicted, Issa could serve life in prison.