A security guard is recovering after being shot multiple times early Monday morning outside a $12 million mansion in Encino, Los Angeles. The property belongs to Amir “Cash” Esmailian, a prominent music executive and co-manager of international pop superstar The Weeknd.
Esmailian, known for co-founding XO Records and guiding The Weeknd’s meteoric rise, has not commented on the incident. The gated community mansion was reportedly under surveillance when three unidentified suspects attacked the guard around 2:25 am. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and the suspects fled the scene on foot.
The injured guard, a 37-year-old man, underwent surgery for his wounds and is expected to survive. This incident has sent shockwaves through the affluent neighborhood, which has seen a troubling rise in burglaries in recent years. Despite the gated community’s security measures, residents are expressing concerns about their safety.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is actively searching for the suspects and has not released any descriptions. Burglary rates in the LAPD’s West Valley division, which encompasses the area of the shooting, have reportedly spiked by 30% since 2019.
This brazen attack in a high-security area raises questions about the effectiveness of security measures and the growing problem of property crime in Los Angeles. With The Weeknd’s name attached to the incident, the case has garnered significant media attention, putting pressure on the LAPD to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators.