Jacqueline Avant, who’s been married to notable music executive Clarence Avant for 54 years, was tragically shot and killed in a home robbery Tuesday night, TMZ reported. Located in Trousdale Estates, a neighborhood in Beverly Hills, California, the couple’s shared home was invaded by an unknown number of suspects who also reportedly shot at their security guard, injuring the person.
Sources told the outlet that Jacqueline was shot in her stomach but still conscious and able to communicate with paramedics as they arrived at the scene. Unfortunately, she was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead at age 81.
Clarence, who was also home during the shooting, was reportedly uninjured.
Music Legend Clarence Avant’s Wife Shot and Killed in Home Invasion Robbery https://t.co/6fNjD9I52J
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 1, 2021
According to CNN, the police chief of the Beverly Hills police department, Mark Stainbrook, stated during a press conference this week that he didn’t believe the shooting was a “random attack,” adding, “but I can’t speculate on that right now.”
Sharing a statement from Jacqueline’s family, Stainbrook also said during Wednesday’s conference, “Jacqueline was an amazing woman, wife, mother, philanthropist, and a 55-year resident of Beverly Hills, who has made an immeasurable positive contribution and impact on the arts community. She will be missed by her family, friends, and all of the people she has helped throughout her amazing life.”
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Known for her impactful work in her community, Jacqueline was reportedly the president of a support group called the Neighbors of Watts and served on the Board of Directors for the International Student Center at UCLA, TMZ reported.
Recognized for his work with notable artists like Michael Jackson, Babyface and Bill Withers, Clarence was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame earlier this year. He and Jacqueline tied the knot in 1967 and share two children, Alexander Devore Avant and Nicole Avant, who’s been married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos since 2009.
My heart breaks for Clarence and Nicole and all the Avant family. This world can be so cruel and cold!! I have no idea what kind of sub-human could shoot an 81 year old woman, and in her own home. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/bq6ApaN12a
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) December 1, 2021
But you can rest assured that every available resource will be used to find whoever is responsible for this awful nightmare. This is tremendously sad. (2/2)
— Tyler Perry (@tylerperry) December 1, 2021
On Wednesday afternoon, Tyler Perry offered his support to the Avant family, tweeting out, “My heart breaks for Clarence and Nicole and all the Avant family. This world can be so cruel and cold!! I have no idea what kind of sub-human could shoot an 81-year-old woman and in her own home,”
The 52-year-old director and screenwriter continued, “But you can rest assured that every available resource will be used to find whoever is responsible for this awful nightmare. This is tremendously sad.”
Police are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the shooting. Our hearts go out to the Avant family during this difficult time.
