Press Releases

06/25/01
Redondo Beach man shoots girlfriend stuns neighbors

A Redondo Beach  man was arrested outside his Steinhart Ave. home Monday night after he shot his girlfriend during a violet confrontation. Robin Kittelson, 40, who also lived at the location, was shot twice and transported to Harbor UCLA Medical Center where she was treated for gunshot wounds to her right leg and left foot.  Her condition was listed as fair.

Redondo Beach Police units responded to the 1700 block of Steinhart Ave. after the Redondo Beach Communications Center received several 911 calls from excited area residents who heard gunshots being fired and a woman screaming. The victim had also called the 911 line from inside the residence. The police communications operator could hear shots being fired and the victim screaming and crying on the open line.  At one point the victim was heard yelling that she had been shot and was bleeding.

Officers surrounded the two story residence where they heard shots being fired from inside. After approximately five minutes the suspect excited the residence through the open garage door carrying a handgun. He dropped the weapon on the driveway after repeated commands from officers.  He was subsequently taken into custody across the street from the location after attempting to run from officers.   A few minutes later the victim was able to crawl to the front door of the location where she was pulled to safety by officers and treated at the scene by the Redondo Beach Fire Department paramedics.  The suspect’s twelve-year old daughter had been in her bedroom listening to music during the incident and was unaware what had occurred.  She was not injured.

The suspect, Dale Akutagawa, 41, of Redondo Beach was transported to Redondo Beach Police Department jail where he was booked for attempted murder and discharging a firearm in a negligent manner.  His bail was set at 1.5 million dollars.

This press release was prepared by Sgt. Bob Remington at 310-379-2477 extension 2340.  For further information, contact Detective Sergeant Phil Keenan at extension 2309.