California detectives investigate string of shootings after father murdered while camping with children

Officials perplexed after seven shootings in 19 months at or near Malibu Creek State Park

Tristan Beaudette pictured with his wife, Erica, and their two young daughters (GoFundMe)

Police in California are investigating a string of shootings after a father was murdered in front of his two young daughters while camping.

Tristan Beaudette was fatally shot while inside his tent in the Malibu Creek State Park in June, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Now detectives are looking into the possibility that the 35-year-old’s murder is linked to a series of shootings in the area dating back almost two years.

Authorities confirmed there have been seven other shootings over the past 19 months at or near Malibu Creek State Park.

The first reported incident concerned James Rogers, who was shot while sleeping in a hammock in the park in November 2016. He survived the attack but required surgery.

“I was trying to take my earphones out, I felt just kind of a stinging sensation in my arm,” he told CBS news. “I tried to get up and just fell right through the hammock down to the ground.”

Another shooting was reported just four days prior to Mr Beaudette’s death and two further reports of gunshots in the park were reported this week.

Authorities have not confirmed a link between any of the incidents but a reward for information relating to Mr Beaudette’s death has been increased to $15,000 (£11,543).

More than $158,660 (£122,088) in donations has been raised for the scientist’s wife Erica and their two young children since his death.

“On behalf of Tristan’s wife Erica, we are heartbroken to share the news that Tristan is no longer with us. Words cannot express the absolute devastation and sorrow we feel from the loss of someone so dear to our family,” organisers wrote on GoFundMe.

“Tristan was out doing something he adored in life, being in the outdoors with his two young girls."

The couple had been preparing to move to the Bay area to start new jobs and his wife had been studying for an exam the next morning when the incident occurred, according to his family.

"They were about to embark on a new chapter in their lives. And then it was all taken away, by a fatal gun shot in the middle of the night, in front of his two young daughters. Not a second goes by that we aren’t grappling with the senselessness of this crime," they wrote on the donation site.

“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.”

News of the shootings has left local residents shaken.

“I wouldn’t go walking there now,” one woman told the LA Daily News. “Would you?”