KEY POINTS
- Jacqueline Avant was shot in the stomach
- She was still alive when the paramedics arrived at the scene
- She was brought to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead
- Clarence Avant was left unscathed by the incident
Jacqueline Avant, the wife of music icon Clarence Avant, was shot dead in a home robbery early Wednesday.
The incident took place at 2.23 a.m. in their home in the Trousdale Estates neighborhood of Beverly Hills. Authorities said they responded to a call regarding a shooting at the residence around that time, and that was when they discovered Jacqueline had been shot.
There were no suspects at the scene when authorities arrived.
The victim was shot in the stomach but was still alert and speaking when the paramedics arrived at the house, sources told TMZ.
Jacqueline was taken to a local hospital but did not survive, reported CBS News.
Netflix also confirmed Jacqueline's death in an email to CNN, writing, "Yes, unfortunately we can confirm that Mrs. Avant was shot and killed early this morning."
Jacqueline is the mother of Nicole Avant, wife of Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos.
An image of the home released by TMZ shows a smashed sliding glass door, suggesting that was how the robbers got inside. It remains unclear how many suspects were involved in the robbery, but at least one suspect managed to get inside the home and open fire at Jacqueline.
The security guard at the home was reportedly shot as well and was not able to return fire. Meanwhile, Clarence was left unscathed by the incident.
Jacqueline and Clarence tied the knot in 1967 and had two children together. Earlier this year, Clarence was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after being the subject of a 2019 documentary, "The Black Godfather."
As the news of Jacqueline's death came out, several celebrities and leaders in the Los Angeles community paid tribute to her.
In a tweet, retired American basketball player Earvin Magic Johnson wrote, "Cookie and I are absolutely devastated at the loss of one of our closest friends Jackie Avant. She was senselessly murdered last night in a home invasion. This is the saddest day in our lives."
Crime scene police line | Representational Image Photo: GETTY IMAGES / SCOTT OLSON
