Couple dead, suspect at large after La Verne killings

LA VERNE, Calif. (KABC) -- A married man and woman were killed in La Verne on Friday, authorities said. The suspect remains at large.

The incident happened shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Roughrider Road, authorities said. A groundskeeper discovered the couple, Armie Troy Isom and his wife, Shirley, unresponsive, and called the San Dimas Sheriff's Station.

Homicide investigators arrived at the scene, and a perimeter was set up. According to sheriff's officials, the bodies were found close to each other near the front entryway. Both victims lost a lot of blood, authorities said.

The 74-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The 89-year-old man was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department initially reported that the couple was killed in a stabbing. It was later determined that the deaths may have been from blunt-force trauma. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear due to the large amount of blood at the scene.

"There's a significant amount of trauma associated with both of them so it could be blunt force trauma, it could be stab wounds," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Dave Coleman.

According to neighbors, the couple was well-known in the neighborhood.

"They waved to us. They seemed like really nice people," said neighbor Robert Mason. "He owned a large construction company."

A motive in the killings remains unknown, sheriff's officials said.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, between 25 and 30 years old, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds. He was said to be wearing a green or orange hoodie, and a green or red backpack. According to neighbors, the suspect walked up Roughrider Road, which dead ends at the Isom residence. He was seen walking back down a short time later.

Sheriff's deputies had bloodhounds on hand to follow any potential trails.

The motive remains unknown. Anyone with information was asked to call the San Dimas Sheriff Station at (909) 450-2700.