A Los Angeles man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of philanthropist Jackie Avant, wife of former Motown boss and legendary music executive Clarence Avant.
Aariel Maynor, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday morning about an hour after Avant was fatally shot in her Beverly Hills home.
Beverly Hills police made the announcement Thursday, saying Maynor was arrested in nearby Hollywood after apparently shooting himself in the foot while attempting to rob a second home. An AR-15 style weapon was recovered when Maynor was arrested.
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Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook said at a press briefing Thursday that police have obtained multiple surveillance videos showing Maynor’s vehicle going eastbound and leaving Beverly Hills after the Avant shooting.
Stainbrook said Maynor is on parole and has an “extensive” criminal record, which bars him from possessing a weapon.
Los Angeles Police Department officers arrested Maynor, however, they have turned jurisdiction of both cases over to the Beverly Hills PD.
Stainbrook said the LAPD Hollywood Division responded to a shooting at a residence in the 6000 block of Graciosa Drive in the Hollywood Hills at about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday. They found the suspect in the home’s backyard after he shot himself in the foot.
The LAPD called Beverly Hills police and detectives collected evidence that connected Maynor to Avant’s shooting death, including the suspected weapon, Stainbrook said.
“The evidence thus far shows that only one suspect was involved in the crime and the motive remains under investigation,” Stainbrook said. “Our focus now has transitioned from finding a suspect to a continuing investigation that will lead to a successful prosecution.”
Stainbrook also tried to assure Beverly Hills residents that the community is safe.
“Let me reassure you, this is one of the most protected and patrolled cities in the world. Crime of any kind will not be tolerated here. Let this be a message to anyone thinking of committing a crime in Beverly Hills – you will be caught and brought to justice,” he said.
As previously reported, the Avant shooting occurred just before 2:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of Maytor Place, according to the Beverly Hills police. Paramedics transported Jackie to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Jackie, 81, was the mother of Nicole Avant, wife of Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. She was active in the community, and was part of the board of directors for UCLA’s International Student Center.
The tragedy comes as the Los Angeles area faces a jump in violent home invasions and robberies, as well as smash-and-grab robberies at high-end luxury boutiques.
