L.A. Deputy City Attorney, wife, son killed in apparent double murder-suicide in Northridge

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. (FOX 11) - A family dispute leaves three people dead in Northridge. 

It was just after 9 a.m. when officers responded to a home in the 9600 block of Vanalden Avenue after receiving reports of shots fired. When officers entered the house they found three people inside suffering from gunshot wounds.

A fourth victim was able to make it out of the house alive. 

Related: Three people dead after shooting inside Northridge home

Neighbor Greg Demos lives across the street, he says the surviving daughter came running to his door. 

“The father was home, father shot his wife and son, took a shot at his daughter, she escaped. Father turned gun on himself, killed himself”, said Demos. “I’ve known the family about a year, wonderful and loving family, I don’t know why,” Demos added. 

The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office issued a statement identifying one of the victims as Deputy City Attorney Eric Lertzman. The coroner's office identified the other victims as Sandra Lertzman, 60, and Michael Lertzman, 19.

The city released a statement saying: "This is a horrible tragedy," said Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer. "As we search for answers to how this could happen, we mourn the victims and envelop those left behind with our love during this time of unbearable loss. Of course we will provide members of our City Attorney Family with needed counseling and support."

Police said the shooting appeared to be “a family violence matter,'' while the City Attorney's Office called it a “domestic disturbance.''

“These people are usually really quite, you don’t see them that often,’ said neighbor Bob Nolan who’s lived in the neighborhood for years. 
Lertzman joined the City Attorney's Office in 2005.

Police say two handguns were discovered inside the home.

A motive is still not known, the shooting is under investigation.