One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
'Deadliest Catch' Crewmember Murder Suspect Found Dead From Self-Inflicted Gunshot
Police say the suspect in the killing of a former Deadliest Catch associate producer has been found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.Joe McMahon was shot and killed, early Friday morning, on the street in front of his home in an unincorporated part of Pasadena. According to family members, McMahon heard a noise outside around 2:20 a.m. and went outside to investigate when he was gunned down. Witnesses say a car sped off after multiple gunshots were fire. McMahon was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Saturday morning, sheriff's detectives announced they had identified 24-year old Brandon Rafiepour as the suspect in the shooting. Investigators say he was found in his car in West Los Angeles on Friday afternoon around 4 p.m., dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The relationship Rafiepour had with McMahon remains unclear, as does the motive for the shooting.
If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone, remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt, and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
