Tourist Slain in Santa Monica

A German tourist was shot and killed during a robbery attempt while he was strolling on a beach in front of a hotel in a Los Angeles suburb.

Horst Featz, 50, was shot three times in the chest Monday night, said Ted Braun, spokesman for Santa Monica-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center.

He was brought to the hospital but died moments after arriving with his wife and a German-speaking bystander, Braun said.

Three other German tourists were with Featz at the time of the attack, but none of them sustained injuries, said police Sgt. P.J. Guido.

Some members of the group were robbed, although it was not immediately clear whether the three robbery suspects had escaped with any cash or other items, Guido said.

Featz was shot about 9:30 p.m. PDT in front of the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, and died about 40 minutes later.

The other German tourists said the gunman drove off in a white car. The witnesses were interviewed by police with the aid of a translator, Guido said.

A hotel security guard said he was not certain whether Featz had been staying at that hotel. Featz's hometown was not immediately released.