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Jacqueline Avant, wife of music exec Clarence Avant, fatally shot at home

LOS ANGELES — Jacqueline Avant, a Los Angeles philanthropist and wife of music executive Clarence Avant, was fatally shot at her home early Wednesday, authorities said. She was 81.

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Police responded to a call of a shooting in Beverly Hills at about 2:30 a.m. PST, Lt. Giovanni Trejo of the Beverly Hills Police Department, told the Los Angeles Times.

Trejo did not immediately confirm the name of the victim, but said she was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound. The woman died at the hospital, the newspaper reported. However, during a news conference, Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook confirmed that Jacqueline Avant was the victim.

Sources confirmed to the Times and KABC that the victim was Jacqueline Avant.

TMZ also reported Jacqueline Avant’s death.

Sources told the Times that the robbers shot at Avant and a security guard who was on the property. The source told the newspaper that at least one of the intruders entered the home before the shooting.

“I don’t thnk it was a random attack, but I can’t speculate on that right now,” Stainbrook told reporters.

“I’m heartbroken by this morning’s news of this tragic and shocking murder,” Rep. Karen Bass said in a statement. “Mrs. Avant was a force of compassion and empowerment locally and nationally for decades, as well as a model of service and giving back to those who needed it most.”

“Jackie was the sweetest person you could ever meet. She had a beautiful soul, kind heart, & always had a kind word for everybody. She was quiet, yet powerful, and very smart,” Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson tweeted. “We are crying for Clarence, Nicole and Alex’s loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family.”

The Avants’ daughter, Nicole Avant, is married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. She produced a 2019 Netflix documentary about her father, “The Black Godfather,” Variety reported.

Jacqueline Avant was known for her philanthropic efforts, including being on the board of directors of UCLA’s International Student Center, the Times reported.

Clarence Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October as the winner of the Ahmet Ertegun Award.

“The City of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Police Department extends our deepest sympathies to the victim’s families,” Trejo said.