24-Year-Old Employee Working Alone Killed At LA Furniture Store

A 24-year-old woman was stabbed to death Thursday in an attack as she worked alone at a high-end furniture store in Los Angeles, police said.

Brianna Kupfer, a Pacific Palisades resident, was attacked by an unknown assailant in broad daylight Thursday afternoon inside furniture business Croft House on North La Brea Avenue in Hancock Park, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement Friday.

Kupfer was found dead on the floor by a customer, who reported the incident to authorities.

Detectives said the suspect was not known to the victim and the attack appears to be "random," according to the statement.

The suspect fled the scene through a back door after attacking the victim with a knife, the LAPD said. Surveillance footage showed the suspect walking northbound down an alley behind the crime scene.

A motive for the attack remains unknown.

Dr. Jennifer Botelho told CBS Los Angeles that the suspect had entered her chiropractic practice, which neighbors Croft House, shortly before the stabbing.

“He came in and asked a couple of questions: ‘Do you do orthopedics here?’ What kind of care we provide and then he left,” Botelho said, adding that the suspect was only there for a few minutes.

Authorities have deployed additional units in the area in response to the tragedy. However, Botelho said she had already beefed up on her security and added a buzzer to her door in the last year due to the rising crime rates in the city.

“We’ve had at least four people or so in the last year who’ve come into the office – by their actions and words were just not right and did not have good intentions,” she told CBS.

She also offered her condolences for Kupfer and her family, saying: “It’s terrifying. It’s horrible. She’s such a young girl. … We feel so horrible for Brianna’s family, and hope we can catch this guy.”

Kupfer graduated from the University of Miami, before returning to the Southland in pursuit of an architectural design degree from UCLA. She was working as a design consultant for Croft House, KTLA reported, citing her LinkedIn profile.

Kupfer’s father said Friday that Brianna was a gifted artist and listener who was “loved by all.”

The suspect, who remains at large, was described by LAPD as a tall, thin Black male wearing a dark hoodie, sunglasses, a white N-95 mask, dark-colored skinny jeans and dark-colored shoes. Detectives said evidence indicates that the man is homeless, according to the statement.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact West Bureau Homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470. Those that wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). text them at 274637, or visit LAPDOnline.org and click on "webtips."