CalTech astrophysicist fatally shot on porch in Antelope Valley - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Clara HarterFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
An accomplished Caltech astrophysicist, Carl Grillmair, was fatally shot on the porch of his home in the rural community of Llano, Antelope Valley, on Monday morning. The suspect, Freddy Snyder, 29, has been charged with murder, carjacking, and first-degree burglary following the incident. deputies responded to a 911 call for an assault with a deadly weapon and found Grillmair dead from a gunshot wound to the torso. His death has been ruled a homicide.
Grillmair, 67, was a renowned researcher at Caltech’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC), which collaborates with NASA and other institutions to advance space exploration. His work focused on understanding the structure of the Milky Way, identifying stellar streams, and studying galaxy evolution. He was awarded significant observation time on the Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes and received numerous accolades, including a NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal.
The suspect, Snyder, was arrested after being linked to a nearby carjacking and an earlier burglary. He is currently held on $2 million bail, with no known connection to Grillmair. The case has shocked the scientific community, as Grillmair’s contributions to astrophysics were significant, particularly his research into the Milky Way’s structure and galaxy evolution.
This tragic incident highlights the senseless loss of a esteemed scientist whose work had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe. His death is mourned not only by family and colleagues but also by anyone interested in the advancement of astronomy and space exploration.
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026