Jeffrey Tidus, Prominent L.A. Lawyer, Shot in Head in Possible "Targeted Killing"

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(Baute & Tidus LLP)

(AP Photo/Nick Ut)

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. (CBS/AP) Jeffrey Tidus, a well-known Los Angeles attorney with a long list of high profile clients including a defunct subprime lender and Izuzo Motors, died Tuesday after he was shot in the head outside his California home.

Photo: Jeffrey Tidus.

Tidus was shot Monday around 8:30 p.m. as he was getting a laptop from his car.

His wife heard a single gunshot ring out and rushed outside to find him lying in the driveway behind his blue Toyota Prius, sheriff's homicide Lt. Dave Dolson said.

Photo: Police stand outside Jeffrey Tidus's home where he was shot Dec. 8, 2009.

"There are certain factors about it that indicate it could be a targeted killing," Dolson said. "We haven't ruled anything out."

No weapon was immediately found but sheriff's deputies and volunteers peered in hedges and scoured around surrounding houses along the street looking for clues. A scent dog was brought in to assist Tuesday evening.

Tidus' ranch-style home remained cordoned off by police tape. Several pink plastic flamingoes decorating his front lawn blinked with festive lights. Detectives were speaking to his wife inside the house.

Tidus, 53, had represented a string of high-profile clients including Hawthorne Savings, Isuzu Motors of America and defunct subprime lender New Century Financial, according to his Web site.

Dolson said investigators did not know of a motive but would be screening Tidus' past.

"We will have to take a long look at his professional and personal life," Dolson said.

Rolling Hills Estates is located about 20 miles south of Los Angeles and many of its homes are worth at least $1 million.

"It's so quiet you could hear the flowers grow," resident Jerry Schwartz said of the neighborhood.

Schwartz recalled Tidus as a friendly neighbor who would often give a wave as he ran through the neighborhood.

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by androidboy December 10, 2009 7:46 AM EST: Hmmm. Shot in the head between his house and his car...a big-time lawyer...nice upper-class neighborhood. Targeted killing? I don't know why they'd think that! He probably died from accidentally shooting himself while he was cleaning his gun!
Sheeesh!; Reply to this comment