LAPD investigates quadruple homicide in Northridge

An apparently unlicensed rooming house is cordoned off in Northridge Sunday as police investigate the fatal shootings of four people.

After the early morning shooting, someone lined up the bodies, face down on a walkway on the west side of the large house. Los Angeles police said the victims appeared to be three men, the fourth victim possibly a woman.

Neighbors of the property on Devonshire Street near Encino Avenue heard shots around 4:30 Sunday morning, LAPD Officer Gordon Hendrickson said.

Homeowner Yag Dutt Kapil told KPCC he rented out parts of his large house to others. He said he knew nothing about the shooting or the victims’ identities.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who represents the area, said the house was split into several units for rent. He said at least a dozen people lived in the house, which contained several bedrooms, kitchenettes and mattresses on the floor.

"It appears from the nature of things that this was an unlicensed boarding facility," Englander said from the crime scene. He noted that one bedroom was only accessible through a window.

The house was on a street lined with houses, schools and places of worship.

"This is a very safe neighborhood. This type of thing doesn't normally happen here," Englander said.

Neighbor Gordon Wolfe said police took one of the home’s two large front doors off its hinges.

Detectives were interviewing neighbors, but so far they have not described a motive in the killings or identified the four victims.