This story is developing… A suspect in yesterday’s shooting death of Jackie Avant is in police custody, Beverly Hills police announced this afternoon.
Police identified the suspect as 29-year-old Los Angeles man, Aariel Maynor. The suspect was caught after leaving the Avant residence during a second robbery an hour later. Maynor apparently had shot himself in the foot.
LAPD were called to an address later at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and found Maynor suffering from a gunshot wound to his foot. He was in the second house and collecting property when he apparently shot himself in the foot.
Acting on a tip from Hollywood police, the Beverly Hills PD connected Maynor to the Avant crime, “including a suspected weapon.” Beverly Hills detectives now taking lead on that crime also.
Avant, the wife of legendary music executive Clarence Avant whose daughter Nicole Avant is married to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, was shot and killed yesterday just before 2:30 a.m. at the Avant’s home in Trousdale Estates near Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said yesterday that he did not think the home break-in was “a random attack,” but would not speculate further on a possible motive for the crime.
Police were called to the residence at 2:23 a.m. Wednesday on a reported shooting. When law enforcement officials arrived, the suspect or suspects had already fled. Paramedics rushed Avant to a nearby hospital but the noted philanthropist died en route.
Avant’s death drew swift and impassioned condolences from the many celebrities, politicians and community leaders who had befriended the Avants over the years. Former President Bill Clinton called Jackie Avant a “wonderful woman, a great partner to Clarence and mother to Alex and Nicole, an active citizen & a dear friend to Hillary and me for 30 years,” while Former Vice President Al Gore tweeted, “I’m devastated and heartbroken by the loss of Jackie Avant. She was an endlessly kind and generous soul who always sought out new ways to give back and lift others up.”
Other notable figures offering condolences included Tyler Perry, Magic Johnson, Viola Davis, Barbara Boxer, Diane Warren, Tavis Smiley and many more.
Helicopter news footage of the Avant’s Trousdale Estates home yesterday showed what appeared to be a smashed glass window or door.