Dispute Over Burglary Sparked Elderly Man’s Fatal Rage, Police Say

Ed Smith, 83, and his wife, Anna, 80, had been arguing for hours Saturday about a burglary last month at their clapboard bungalow in South-Central Los Angeles when Smith grabbed a 38-caliber handgun and began shooting at people who crossed his path, police said.

When the shooting spree ended, Smith had killed himself, his stepdaughter and two women, including one who died with her keys in hand as she tried to enter her home.

Smith, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, had claimed in a police report that he had lost a coin collection and other items worth $7,000 when his home in the 100 block of East 41st Place was burglarized on Feb. 16.

“He was very upset over (the burglary),” said Detective Hector Becerra. “I guess he blamed her for it.”

The shooting began about 1:30 p.m. after Anna Smith asked her daughter, Linda Downard, 45, to help her move out of the home. Infuriated, Smith attempted to shoot his wife but missed, police said.

After Anna Smith fled to a neighbor’s house, Smith shot his stepdaughter, who was standing on the sidewalk in front of the house with some of her mother’s possessions. He also shot Cleotis Pouncy, 68, who was across the street, and Rachel Taylor, 66, as she entered her house.

Apparently realizing that the police were arriving, Smith ran into an alley and shot himself in the chest.

Linda Downard died during surgery at California Medical Center Saturday afternoon and Cleotis Pouncy died in surgery at County-USC Medical Center. Rachel Taylor and Smith died at the scene.