Jacqueline Avant: LA man charged with murder in shooting death of philanthropist

A Los Angeles man has been charged with murdering Jacqueline Avant and attempting to kill her security guard, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced Monday.

Avant was a philanthropist and the wife of music executive Clarence Avant.

Aariel Maynor, 29, of Los Angeles, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, felon with a firearm and two counts of residential burglary with a person present. Maynor is charged with breaking into the Avant's Beverly Hills estate on Dec. 1, shooting Jacqueline Avant, and shooting at her security guard. The security guard was not injured.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

"Mrs. Avant was a treasured member of our community. Her generosity and good will touched so many lives," Gascón said. "My office is working closely with the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills police departments in the investigation and prosecution of this case. We must continue to work together to hold accountable the people who commit violent crimes against our community."

Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.

MORE ON MAYNOR

Maynor was supposed to be arraigned Monday, but that had to be delayed. In the courtroom, the Lead Detective told the judge that Maynor is under guard, immobilized at Cedar Sinai and awaiting surgery scheduled for Wednesday to repair damage from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his foot at a Hollywood Hills residential burglary about an hour after the shooting death of Jacqueline Avant.

MRS. AVANT: ‘A PILLAR IN THIS COMMUNITY’

Thomas Blumenthal is the CEO of Geary’s. He tells FOX 11, "She was a client of the store for many, many years and happened to be at the store two or three days before the shooting. So it’s very sad; such a pillar in this community."

Blumenthal’s store has been around a long time, but now like other businesses finds itself protecting against those out to commit crimes.

He says, "We’re not operating out of fear, but we are being smart about it. We have added security in all of our stores; Security guards during the day and at night. But, just trying to keep as positive as possible."

Tune in to FOX 11 Los Angeles for the latest Southern California news.