MALIBU—The family of Tristan Beaudette, 35, who was fatally shot by Anthony Rauda, 42, in June 2018 is suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, as well as other state and local agencies.
Tristan’s family indicated that the Sheriff’s Department and the other agencies failed to warn the public about the various shootings that transpired in and around Malibu Creek State Park prior to the fatal shooting of Beaudette. The family’s lawsuit if for over $90 million.
In the claims filed by attorney Victor George it states, “The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, California State Park Police, Department of Parks and Recreation, and California State Parks and Recreation Commission have confirmed they were aware of at least seven unsolved shootings in Malibu Creek State Park.”
The lawsuit is on behalf of Erica Wu, Beaudette’s widow, and their two children, who are ages two and four. Tristan’s daughters were camping with their father in a tent when he was shot and killed. Neither child suffered any injuries during the incident.
“Tristan, you were such an amazing father, husband, son, and brother. You were admired by so many for your devotion to your wife and two daughters. We are all so fortunate to have known you for your short time on Earth. You were taken from us far too early, doing something you loved with the girls you adored. You will be so dearly missed. May you rest in peace,” said a statement issued by the family on a GoFundMe page that was set-up.
Rauda was charged Beaudette’s death and 10 counts of trying to kill others during a series of shootings over the past two year in the Malibu Creek State Park area, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced on January 7.
A $30,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in Beaudette’s murder. According to reports, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the city of Malibu and Beaudette’s employer, Allergan, added to the award.
The accusations against Rauda date back to November 2016, where he allegedly wounded a man who was sleeping in a hammock in the Malibu Creek State Park area. Less than a week later Rauda allegedly fired into a sleeping area of a vehicle in the Park region. He faces accusations of shooting into vehicles on three different occasions in 2017. No one was injured as a result of those shootings.
On June 18, 2018, Rauda is accused of shooting at a Tesla on Las Virgenes Road. Four days later, on June 22, Rauda allegedly shot and killed Tristan. According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Rauda has been charged with several burglaries in the Calabasas area that transpired in 2018. During each of the burglaries, food items were stolen between the times of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. If Rauda is convicted as charged, he faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison.
Written By Emily Loudermilk and Casey Jacobs
