Carl Grillmair: LASD Homicide Investigation and Congressional Inquiry

The Shooting and Arrest

At 6:10 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies responded to the 30700 block of 165th Street East in Llano, California, following a 9-1-1 call. Upon arrival, they found a white male, 67 years old, on the front porch of the property suffering from a gunshot wound. Los Angeles County Fire personnel responded and attempted life-saving measures. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In the course of investigating the shooting, deputies also responded to a separate carjacking call in the same area. A person of interest was detained in connection with the carjacking.

On February 18, 2026, the case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Freddy Snyder, a 29-year-old white male, was formally charged with three counts:

• Murder — Penal Code 187(a)
• Carjacking — Penal Code 215(a)
• Burglary — Penal Code 459

Snyder's bail was set at $3,175,000. The investigation was described as ongoing at the time of the charging press release.

Prior Arrest Record

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department records show that Snyder was previously arrested on December 20, 2025 — approximately eight weeks before the shooting. He was booked at Palmdale Station (booking number 7102461) on two felony charges: carrying a loaded firearm in public under specific circumstances (PC 25850(a)) and attempted escape from jail (PC 664-4532(b)(1)).

Snyder was released three days later, on December 23, 2025, on Own Recognizance with bail set at $0. Both charges were dismissed on February 5, 2026 at the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse under California Penal Code 1385 — a provision permitting dismissal at judicial discretion "in the furtherance of justice" (Case No. 25AVCF02068-01). Eleven days later, on February 16, 2026, Snyder shot and killed Carl Grillmair.

Felony Complaint

The formal felony complaint filed in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles (Case No. 26AVCF00232) identifies the defendant as Freddy O Snyder, date of birth April 3, 1996. Count 1 charges murder in violation of Penal Code Section 187(a), with the additional allegation that Snyder personally and intentionally discharged a firearm — specifically a rifle — causing the death of Carl Johann Grillmair, within the meaning of Penal Code Section 12022.53(d).

Carl Grillmair: Professional Background

Carl Grillmair, 67, was an astrophysicist who worked at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and collaborated with NASA. He was known in the scientific community for his research into the search for water on planets outside our solar system. He lived in the Llano area of Los Angeles County at the time of his death.

Law enforcement authorities stated at the time of the arrest that they did not believe the suspect knew Grillmair personally.

Congressional Inquiry

On April 21, 2026, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Subcommittee Chairman Eric Burlison (R-MO) formally wrote to the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, FBI, and NASA, seeking information about individuals connected to U.S. nuclear secrets or rocket technology who had died or disappeared in recent years.

The committee's press release named Grillmair explicitly among the cases under review, describing him as having "collaborated with NASA" and noting that he was "fatally shot at the age of 67 at his home outside Los Angeles in February."

The committee stated that the cases "raise questions about a possible sinister connection" and that if the reports are accurate, "these deaths and disappearances may represent a grave threat to U.S. national security." The committee requested briefings and documentary records from the relevant agencies.

Federal Response

On April 17, 2026, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed publicly that the administration was directing relevant agencies to look into the cluster of cases. The Department of Defense stated it would respond to the committee directly. The Department of Energy referred questions to the White House. NASA stated it was "coordinating and cooperating with the relevant agencies," adding that "at this time, nothing related to NASA indicates a national security threat."

Medical Examiner Record

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner recorded Grillmair's death under case number 2026-02806. The manner of death is listed as homicide. The primary cause of death is recorded as gunshot wound of the torso. The case status is listed as open. The investigation was assigned to Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Ou.

Status of the Criminal Case

As of publication, Freddy Snyder remains charged with murder, carjacking, and burglary in connection with the February 16, 2026 incident. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau listed the investigation as ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.