Landlord Held in Tenant’s Slaying
A Lancaster landlord has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting a tenant during a dispute, authorities said Tuesday.
Alvan Adams, 48, allegedly shot the 41-year-old man multiple times about 8 p.m. Monday at his home in the 3300 block of East Avenue K-4, said Deputy Mark Bailey, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The victim’s name has been withheld pending notification of his family.
The victim was a ranch hand who along with his girlfriend had been renting a room in Adams’ house for about two months, said Sgt. Tom Harris, of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.
Adams called sheriff’s deputies to his house about 3 p.m., saying he wanted his tenant to move out, and the deputies explained eviction procedures, Harris said.
Five hours later, Adams called the Sheriff’s Department again. The tenant was dead when deputies arrived, Harris said.
Witnesses, including the victim’s girlfriend, didn’t know why Adams wanted the tenant evicted, authorities said.
Adams is being held without bail, Harris said. He is scheduled to be arraigned today in Lancaster Municipal Court.
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