Businessman Shot Dead Outside Home : Crime: Police say there is evidence of a struggle in the driveway. They have no suspects and no motive in San Marino’s first murder in more than 10 years.

A Taiwanese businessman was shot to death early Monday after a struggle in the driveway of his San Marino home, authorities said.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s homicide detectives, who were called by local police to investigate the slaying, said the motive for the attack in the 1300 block of Bradbury Road was not clear.

A neighbor heard a car drive away moments after three shots were fired, investigators said. But no suspects were identified or in custody.

Detectives said the 43-year-old victim, whose name was withheld pending notification of relatives, ran an import-export business in the Los Angeles area.

San Marino police said it was the first homicide in the quiet, upscale San Gabriel Valley community since a service station attendant was killed in 1979 during a robbery.

The neighbor, who asked that she not be identified, said the victim and his wife had purchased the property about six months ago, but didn’t move into the home until a couple of weeks ago.

“They were very nice and friendly,” the neighbor said. “They always waved ‘Hello.’ ”

Police said the victim apparently had driven home, parked his car at the rear of the house and was walking back along the driveway toward the front of the property when he was confronted by one or more assailants.

The neighbor, who had gone to bed several hours earlier, said she was awakened by the sound of three gunshots at 12:21 a.m.

“Then I heard the sound of a car driving away,” the neighbor said.

Sheriff’s investigators said a San Marino police officer, who happened to be patrolling in the area, heard the shots but arrived too late to see the departing car.

The neighbor said she did not see the car either.

Investigators said evidence indicated that there had been a struggle before the three shots were fired. A wallet containing cash was found on the victim’s body, but detectives did not rule out the possibility of a robbery attempt.

They said the victim’s wife was not at home at the time of the shooting.