Caltech astrophysicist fatally shot on porch in Antelope Valley
Los Angeles Times • • science
Key Points:
- Carl Grillmair, a renowned Caltech astrophysicist with over 40 years of contributions to galactic astronomy and exoplanet research, was fatally shot on Monday morning in the rural Antelope Valley area, with his death ruled a homicide.
- Freddy Snyder, 29, was arrested nearby for carjacking and subsequently charged with Grillmair's murder, carjacking, and a prior first-degree burglary; his connection to Grillmair remains unclear.
- Grillmair was a research scientist at Caltech’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, collaborating with NASA and other agencies to advance space exploration, and was known for discovering galactic streams and identifying water on an exoplanet.
- Colle
