Man Charged With Killing Son For Being Gay

From the Los Angeles Times:

Los Angeles prosecutors on Friday charged a 69-year-old man with fatally shooting his son outside the family’s North Hills home because the son was gay. The shooting occurred Tuesday when police responded to a call at the family home and found the bodies of Amir Issa, 29 [photo], and his mother, who was not identified. Officers later arrested the Issa’s father, Shehada Khalil Issa, who faces one count of premeditated murder.

According to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, Issa had allegedly threatened to kill his son in the past because he was gay. “The murder was committed because of the victim’s sexual orientation and because of the defendant’s perception of that status and the victims’ association with a person and a group of that status,” prosecutors alleged in a statement.

Authorities allege the father used a shotgun in the attack. The mother’s body was found inside the house, but prosecutors did not provide details about her death. The investigation is still ongoing. Shehada Khalil Issa was being held without bail at Men’s Central Jail. His arraignment is scheduled for April 11 at the San Fernando branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.

(Tipped by JMG reader Marcus)