Details emerge about L.A. man accused of shooting, killing wife in front of son

A 64-year-old man from Santa Monica has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his wife in the head in front of their teen son earlier this month, officials announced Wednesday.

The deadly Feb. 5 shooting unfolded at around 7:25 p.m. in the 18000 block of Santa Rita Street in Encino, the Los Angeles Police Department said.  

Details are limited and it’s unclear exactly how the shooting occurred, but responding officers found the woman, now identified as 54-year-old Linda Farzan, with a gunshot wound to the head outside a home where she’d been attending a religious meeting with her teenage son, who according to investigators, witnessed the homicide.  

She was pronounced dead at the scene.  

The alleged gunman, Sean Farzan, the victim’s husband, fled on foot after the shooting, but was captured by police a short time later, police said.  

Investigators have yet to provide a motive for the fatal shooting, though a news release from the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office said the violence came amid the couple’s pending divorce.

“This was a tragic and deeply disturbing shooting that took place in front of a child,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. “No family should ever have to endure such a tragedy. We will do everything in our power to ensure that the person responsible is held fully accountable for this senseless and brutal crime.” 

The 64-year-old, who is being held without bail, has been charged with felony first-degree murder and felony child abuse in circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. 

He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb 20. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.