LADERA RANCH, Calif. (KTLA) — There are new details in the violent Orange County shooting rampage that left four people dead, including the alleged gunman.
Police have identified the first victim of Tuesday morning’s murder spree as 20-year-old Courtney Aoki, of Buena Park.
Authorities have also released the frantic 911 call made by the parents of the suspect, 20-year-old Ali Syed.
“I think somebody’s shot … in my house,” Syed’s mother says. “Somebody’s shot. I think there’s somebody shot.”
Hysterical, the woman tries to answer the dispatcher’s questions. Her husband eventually takes over the phone.
“Can you please send somebody here?” he says. “Our son lives with us and I think they got into a fight or something and we heard a gunshot.”
The father also tells the dispatcher that their son has a rifle that he purchased legally.
The parents said they had not gone into their son’s room, but they thought he had left the home in their SUV. They said they did not see a victim.
After allegedly shooting and killing Aoki, police say Syed set off on his 75-minute-long shooting spree, killing two more people and injuring three others.
Syed ended up shooting himself to death as he was being pursued by authorities.
Investigators say they’re not sure what might have set Syed off. He has been described as a loner who spent a lot of time alone in his room playing video games.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Jim Amormino said Syed left “no evidence, no note, nothing that would explain this very bizarre, violent behavior.”
He said that, after talking to witnesses and those who knew Syed, “nothing indicated… any violence in the past or anything of that nature.
Syed was unemployed and enrolled in one computer class at Saddleback Community College. He had no criminal record.
No drugs were found in Syed’s room, Amormino said, though toxicology results were still pending.
Meantime, KTLA has learned that the first victim, Courtney Aoki, was going to college and was paying for school by stripping.
KTLA spoke exclusively to a man who often drove Aoki and other girls, and provided security for them when they went to entertain clients. He did not want to be identified.
“I was one of her drivers. She was a stripper,” the man said. “She stripped so she can pay her way through college,” he added.
“What you do is drive her to the place of the person who wants her to strip,” the man explained. “And you drive her there, you stand there and wait for her to come out.”
“If there’s a big party, let’s say a bachelor party, and there are five or six people, you go in there with her and make sure no one touches her.”
He said that he wasn’t with Aoki on Tuesday morning, but he feels terrible about what happened.
“Very nice girl, very sweet girl,” he said, describing Aoki. “One of the sweetest girls I know. Very quiet, very respectful, very polite. She had her whole life ahead of her.”
Investigators have not confirmed any information about Aoki’s occupation. They say they are still trying to determine how she met Syed and why she was at his home.
103 Comments to “Co-Worker: 1st O.C. Shootings Victim Was a Stripper”
February 21, 2013 at 4:49 AM
What does this have to do with the shooting. Anything for a headline right ? If she worked at in an out would you have written this? Great "journalism"
February 21, 2013 at 5:31 AM
I agree! Just sensationalistic journalism.
February 21, 2013 at 7:54 AM
If she worked at in n out she wouldn't have been there at 4:30 in the morning….
February 21, 2013 at 8:16 AM
Very brilliant comparison! Really? Going to a "clients" home who is a complete stranger in late night or early morning to take all your clothes off is just as safe as working at In n Out? Wow!
February 21, 2013 at 12:53 PM
I'm glad to know this after previous reports of Courtney's mother not being of help in describing her work. Dooosh.
February 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
It explains what she was doing in his home. The parents did not know her and there was no link between the shooter and the victim.
February 21, 2013 at 1:55 PM
TV reported this case was about a drug deal gone bad, he may have declined to pay money and shot her then knew the consequences , the parents and neighbors heard the arguments only if they had called authorities earlier.
February 21, 2013 at 5:56 AM
O.k. If We're going to bring up school, what was her class? What did she want to be?
February 21, 2013 at 7:46 AM
she wanted to be alive you judgemental ass,,what doise it matter to any of you what she did or didnt do for money
February 21, 2013 at 12:21 PM
It matters in regards to explaining why she was at the assailant's home at 4 in the morning. If she worked at In n Out, her occupation wouldn't explain what she was doing at the home.
February 21, 2013 at 4:03 PM
She wanted to be an actress. I went to middle school with her. I hate that they're painting a bad picture of her. She was a really great person. Anyone that knew her wouldn't be able to say a cruel thing about her.
February 21, 2013 at 6:06 AM
upto I looked at the draft 4 $6914, I didn't believe that my neighbour was like they say realie taking home money in there spare time from there labtop.. there great aunt started doing this for only about twenty three months and as of now repaid the debts on their house and purchased themselves a Renault 5. read more at, ………. BIT40.ℂOℳ
February 21, 2013 at 6:28 AM
"Meantime, KTLA has learned that the first victim, Courtney Aoki, was going to college and was paying for school by stripping"
Isn't that why they all strip?
I guess I don't see why that is relevant.
February 21, 2013 at 6:33 AM
Yes, but I know you're used to it.
February 21, 2013 at 6:43 AM
Used to what?
February 21, 2013 at 7:15 AM
Poor little wee, such a small little. Why not apply your non normal and let her do the same to make the world a better place too? See, when you toss normal out the window then all of a sudden even sharia friendly violence is just peachy, like burning churches down.
February 21, 2013 at 7:42 AM
Stripping is a normal job now a days.
Try again stalker boy
February 21, 2013 at 7:48 AM
I realize you have many muslim friendly positions.
And part of that seems to be the low opinion of women, and how sex trade workers are normal for western women.
But that's a rather slanted view that may not reflect reality in the western culture. There is a difference between not wearing a burka and being a alleged hooker.
February 21, 2013 at 7:53 AM
I realize you have many muslium friendly postions like not liking things that make this country great. I have a low opinion of people who deserve it like yourself.
I never once said the "sex trade" was normal I said "stripping" was normal. Again you put your retarded spin on things stalker boy
February 21, 2013 at 8:52 AM
Why would I think violence made our country great?
Why would I think advocating for the most violent position on any issue would be great?
I think our country is great in spite of ability to use violence when needed.
February 21, 2013 at 8:17 AM
It explains why she was there…. that is why it is relevant.
February 21, 2013 at 6:30 AM
I can't imagine a stripper will be too badly missed – except by her clients.
February 21, 2013 at 7:37 AM
your an idiot
February 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM
you're an asshole
February 21, 2013 at 7:53 AM
Strippers are somebody's daughter. Most of them are pretty nice girls just trying to make their way in the world. Hookers don't screw around with stripping, they're busy hooking. Sanctimonious, judgmental, prejudice – where do these people come from? Oh. Republicans.
February 21, 2013 at 1:52 PM
wont miss you
February 21, 2013 at 3:07 PM
Its sad she had to resort to stripping. Maybe she didnt have a family or support to help her in life…so she wanted to make a life and was willing to sacrafice to get through school. You dont know someones situation….so shut up.
February 21, 2013 at 3:26 PM
Such a nice thing to say. You won't be missed I'm betting.
February 21, 2013 at 4:07 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/news/aoki-496730-vasque…
She will be missed. Anyone that says different obviously didn't know what a great person she was. Your heart is cold and I hope you make your family proud.
February 21, 2013 at 6:31 AM
There are a lot of college students in the stripping business. Funny how it takes them ten years to pay for those community college classes.
February 21, 2013 at 6:32 AM
SO basically shes a hooker
February 21, 2013 at 7:38 AM
and so what he looked like a fat ass sand monkey
February 21, 2013 at 7:54 AM
No, working is the sex trade business is not the same as stripping
February 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
no dear
if she was a hooker he probably would not have shot her
My guess is he hired her to come to his house
he expected sex when she told him she only strips he got angry and asked for his money back
they money is isually given to the bodyguard right away
I used to work as a private dancer too
and some guys would get very angry that they didn't get sex
I had been literally chased by a man with a gun once because he was mad that his expectations were not met
My guess is he shot her out of anger
February 21, 2013 at 4:49 PM
That is exactly what I though. I went to school with women that stripped. They didn't have sex the the men. These women do exist. The guy that shot the woman probably had no social skills other than gaming. His brain reverts to what comforted him in times of frustration: shoot em' up. Reality is so different from gaming. Guess he didn't get the memo.
February 21, 2013 at 6:36 AM
I strip too, check out my boobs! (+)(+)
Nice pasties huh?
February 21, 2013 at 7:11 PM
OK send a picture "please" "PLEASE" "PLEASE" harrisspd.1@netzero.com thank you very much, really, thank you
February 21, 2013 at 6:37 AM
Why does the media play her up as a innocent victim going to school, she probably tried to steal his money or got him high. I hate when they say stripper. Strippers are hookers hello. Cant tell me they dont have sex with all their clients, she was scum
February 21, 2013 at 7:40 AM
why becouse she f***** for money ,,,thats just lame ,,,, he payed for ass so that makes him more of a scum bag
February 21, 2013 at 8:35 AM
you knew this girl you're calling scum? Cause you would have to be a world class douche bag to be maligning a murdered girl who's name is now being dragged through the mud by a tabloid outfit like KTLA
February 21, 2013 at 4:12 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/news/aoki-496730-vasque…
She wasn't like that at all. I went to middle school with this girl and she has always been a sweetheart. She didn't deserve anything that happened to her.
February 21, 2013 at 6:46 AM
Why dont they just admit she was a HOOKER….dang already! She was doing an OUTCALL
February 21, 2013 at 1:37 PM
really
do you think she would have been shot if she had had sex with him?
I think not
That makes no sense
stripper
I believe
hooker
most likely not
February 21, 2013 at 6:49 AM
Prescription drugs, guarantee it
February 21, 2013 at 7:09 AM
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February 21, 2013 at 7:22 AM
the men paying her to strip/hook are scum…….Courtney is an angel in heaven
February 21, 2013 at 8:50 AM
While I would never get a stripper or hooker, she is also at fault. I do not blame her for getting easy money while at school, but it does lower the type of person she is. But I put her way above the women that go to bars, get drunk, and sleep with the first cute guy they see. Probably what happened was a mis-communication about how much it would cost and what she would do. Then this loner lost it and did what too many people lately are capable of doing.
Sad part is that his Dad seemed to know this stuff was going on. He was vague mentioning that his son had "friends" come over late at night sometimes.
Courtney, RIP
Ali, you can burn in hell
February 21, 2013 at 7:26 AM
She's a white cracker, what do you expect?
February 21, 2013 at 10:47 AM
she doesn't look white to me, chief
February 21, 2013 at 8:06 PM
i bet your a NIGGER!!!!
February 21, 2013 at 7:30 AM
Stripper, hooker, scum?
How about human?
Someones daughter, sister, or friend.
February 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM
people need to come off there high and mighty hill,,, nobody knows why she was there and nobdy here knows her but they all fell they can judge her,,,she was the victom he was the basterd that shot her
February 21, 2013 at 7:58 AM
there we go. the voice of reason. the important thing is this young man was able to exercise his Constitutional rights under the Second Amendment and protect himself from the depravity of a twenty year old girl.
February 21, 2013 at 7:44 AM
The article says that the son had a rifle. I heard on the radio that it was a shotgun. If it was a rifle, what is the make and model?
February 21, 2013 at 8:45 AM
What does it matter?
February 21, 2013 at 8:51 AM
A shot gun is more defensive in nature.
It has no range to speak of and is only good up close, as in when someone is kicking in your door.
February 21, 2013 at 9:16 AM
The news media doesn't know the difference between a shotgun and a rifle. Just like they don't know the difference between a machine gun and a semi-auto rifle. Or an empty plastic tube and a rocket launcher.
February 21, 2013 at 1:29 PM
It was a pump action shotgun.
February 21, 2013 at 7:56 AM
So basically she deserved to die right? Is that what everybody is saying here? This man was a NUTJOB! he killed these other people for NO reason, they were arguing maybe because she was trying to talk him out of doing something he would regret. Have any of you ever thought about that? He owned a shotgun and a handgun people! he killed this young woman for NOTHING! Where is your humanity? If she was your family would you be posting the same garbage?
February 21, 2013 at 8:16 AM
humanity? for a woman who takes her clothes off and charges money?guest
February 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM
You're right. She didn't deserve to die. I think the interest is that people cannot figure out what this girl was doing in his home. Very sad that people have no value for human life. I don't agree with stripping but that's as far as it goes. To say this girl deserved it because of how she was living her life is just sick and twisted. The people commenting against this girl are the same people who would do what this guy did.
February 22, 2013 at 2:19 PM
Yes, he was a NUTJOB! Beautiful girl. I wish I could have been there to help her.
Her poor Mother and sister too!
February 21, 2013 at 8:02 AM
I have a question. Does anybody at KTLA monitor these comments or are they all cool with publishing racist, slanderous, offensive bullshit?
February 21, 2013 at 8:32 AM
other than you?
February 21, 2013 at 8:04 AM
i guess it fits their format…
February 21, 2013 at 8:08 AM
Strippers are somebody's daughter. Most of them are pretty nice girls just trying to make their way in the world. Hookers don't screw around with stripping, they're busy hooking. Sanctimonious, judgmental, prejudice – where do these people come from? Oh. Republicans.
February 21, 2013 at 8:10 AM
The parents of this sicko should be charged with endangering the public
February 21, 2013 at 4:52 PM
How are the parents responsible? He was 20 years old
February 21, 2013 at 5:04 PM
They are responsible because they bought him the shotgun. This guy was 21, still living at home, unemployed, only taking one class "sometimes" at a community college and bringing strippers home at night. His teachers say he was a loner, who mostly played video games and kept to himself. If that is your kid, you have a problem with your kid. The mother has been arrested for a hit and run last summer where she critically injured a 4 year old child and left her in the ditch to die. Only after filing an insurance claim the next day was she arrested for this crime. The apple does not fall far from the tree. So, do you get now how they are responsible? If you don't, please do not ever have children.
February 21, 2013 at 8:16 AM
the important thing is this young man was able to exercise his Constitutional rights under the Second Amendment and protect himself from the depravity of a twenty year old girl.
February 21, 2013 at 8:26 AM
Allah Akbar!
February 21, 2013 at 8:44 AM
I don't want to sound heartless here. I feel deeply for the loss of the woman.
But putting yourself through college by becoming a stripper? I understand
the job market isn't great. Honestly, I've gone through college. A lot of graduates
are making next to minimum wage. Is it really worth it anymore? of course that is another
issue entirely. my bet, don't bother with it. if you're going there to obtain a liberal arts degree, forget it. doctor or engineer, maybe. but who wants to spend 5 to 7 years of in college anymore to obtain that? Just think about it before doing this type of dangerous work. that's all I have to say.
February 21, 2013 at 10:08 AM
What dangerous work? These girls can make a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year or more depending where they work. They are not hookers. They don't need to be hookers with the great money they make stripping. So, it's not the job her mother would want her to have, but she's young and hot, so she is just making the money while she can. Nothing in the article states that her job put her in any kind of danger.
February 21, 2013 at 10:45 AM
Uh going to a strangers house alone IS putting yourself in danger.
February 21, 2013 at 1:10 PM
Not hookers? Boy you are either really young or really ugly
February 21, 2013 at 8:54 AM
Ban strippers
February 21, 2013 at 8:59 AM
THIS KILLER WAS A GAMER. IS NOBODY CONNECTING THE DOTS HERE? I'LL BET YOU A MILLION THEY'LL FIND GRAND THEFT AUTO IN HIS ROOM. IN THIS GAME YOU KILL THE PROSTITUTE, CAR JACK CARS, ETC.
HE'S LIVING OUT HIS FANTASY. THIS WAS PLANNED SUICIDE. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN DISTURBED PEOPLE WOULD JUST OFF THEMSELVES IN THE BASEMENT.
THANKS TO OUR SENSATIONALIST MEDIA, THEY NOW WISH TO GO OUT WITH A BANG (BOTH FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY). BE REMEMBERED FOR SOMETHING, HOWEVER GROTESQUE.
SAD.
February 21, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Actually, I think it's more likely that he did this in the name of Allah.
February 21, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Thats exactly what I try to point out! the media even though reporting on a bad thing, it still makes people with sick minds think of ways to go out with a bang. Gosh, the more details they give the worse it gets….they dont get it at all!!!! it doesnt take rocket scientist to figure this out! And the biggest example is school shootings…never happend till columbine and now it happens WAY to often!
February 21, 2013 at 9:22 AM
YES, GUNS ARE A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY. I DON'T OWN A GUN, DON'T REALLY LIKE GUNS – BUT WITH THAT SAID – I THINK GUNS ARE JUST A FRACTION OF THE PROBLEM.
I LOVE BEING AN AMERICAN, BUT WE FOSTER (THROUGH OUR MEDIA) A CULTURE OF FEAR IN THIS COUNTRY…..UNLIKE ANY OTHER DEVELOPED NATION…..THE 6:00 NEWS IS 45 MINUTES OF REPEATED SCENES OF DEATH AND DESTRUCTION FOLLOWED BY A FINAL TWO MINUTES OF A KITTEN BEING SAVED FROM A TREE.
COUPLE THAT WITH A GROWING VALUE PLACED ON CELEBRITY AND YOU HAVE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.
WE ARE HAVING AN INCREASE IN THIS TYPE OF SHOOTING BECAUSE – IN LARGE PART (NOT ALL, GUN LAWS AND PARENTAL ISSUES, ETC. COME IN TO PLAY AS WELL) OF HOW WE PROCESS NEWS AND THE MEDIA.
THEY SAY YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. WE HAVE CONSUMED THIS MESS.
February 21, 2013 at 1:12 PM
Turn off your Caps you freaking slant
February 21, 2013 at 2:12 PM
fake name chas…..your racism is not.
February 21, 2013 at 4:57 PM
Atleast he expresses a logical point of view….do you have anything productive to offer? chas
February 22, 2013 at 1:11 PM
"YES, GUNS ARE A PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY."
Except that in this case, that wasn't the problem. He didn't use a high powered assault weapon, or even a semi-automatic handgun. He used a very basic, primitive shotgun, which not even the most ardent anti-gun leftist says should be banned. As for "guns" being a "problem" in the country, statistics says otherwise. Gun violence has been on a steady decline over the last 20 years, despite the fact that one in every two households in the US has a firearm. Anti-gun activists also claim that removing runs from the public will lower crime, but statistically, that's false. In fact, you're twice as likely to be involved in a crime in the UK (where guns are illegal) than in the US (where guns are legal, but heavily regulated).
February 21, 2013 at 9:55 AM
There's definitely a trend with these mass killings. The alledged perp is a 20-ish male loner, gamer, loser who's still dependent on the parental units for subsidized support including access to lots of armament. The guy is typically a mixed-up puppy who is avoided by most sane people and can be spotted taking computer classes sitting quietly near the back of the room till one day he snaps.
February 22, 2013 at 1:13 PM
"There's definitely a trend with these mass killings."
There is, but it's actually the opposite. The trend has been dropping steadily for over a decade. What's gone up is the number of times the cases are reported. This is due mostly to the "instant information" age of technology we live on.
February 21, 2013 at 10:17 AM
has anyone thought, yes shes making a living and at least she isnt standing on a corner begging for money, and yes it isnt the best job, and has anyone thought maybe since he didnt work and was a loner that since probably he never recieved any attention figured why not get it for free and called this poor girl who didnt deserve to leave this world like this and killed her when it was time to pay up. regardless what her job was she still is a human being. he should have only taken his own life instead of hers and the other people lives he took for no reason only because he had no life doesnt mean someone should loose theres regardless of there employment!!!! its so disrespectful of those who put her down its enough that her family and loved ones have to face loosing her to a coward who should have taken his own life and if his parents knew he needed mental help maybe they shouldnt have allowed him to own one gun in there home at all
February 21, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Who gives a fuck that she was a stripper. SHE IS A PERSON!!!!! Fuck all of you who say she is a hooker and FUCK YOU KTLA for making sure thats how she is known to everyone now.
February 21, 2013 at 1:17 PM
Exactly !!
February 21, 2013 at 11:03 AM
she striipped he wanted more. she said NO! he killed her
February 21, 2013 at 11:05 AM
Another loner endlessly playing video games. Anyone wanna bet that they were EXTREMELY VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES?
The US Armed forces learned decades ago that you desensitize new recruitssoldiers to killing by constantly exposing them to violent images. This has happened again and again with these violent mass murderers.
February 22, 2013 at 1:15 PM
"Another loner endlessly playing video games. Anyone wanna bet that they were EXTREMELY VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES?"
Except that there's no objective statistical link between video games and violence, other than anecdotally. Statistically speaking, the rate of video game involvement among the general populus is about the same as the rate of video game involvement about those who commit violent crimes.
February 21, 2013 at 11:50 AM
Perhaps this loner who played video games way to much & got way out of reality, ordered a "stripper" & when reality collided w/ his fantasy, he lost it. I'm not a gamer, but I'm thinking Grand Theft Auto & an Avatar (Stripper) scenario.
February 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM
How did parents know "they" had a fight if the parents had not gone into the son's room or known that he was in there with someone??
February 21, 2013 at 12:30 PM
I dont know why every parent of an unemployed gamer punk keep giving them guns and other things like violent video games to keep them busy until the time comes when their boredom takes over and they go off like a bad version of Rambo. Parents should really suffer for this asshole.
February 21, 2013 at 1:47 PM
As far as I am concerned, you are exactly right. The common denominator in all of these shootings seems to be a rich, spoiled, brat, teenage to 20something yr old male, living off of his parents, who for whatever reason, seem to be in denial and continuously supplying their brat with money, video games and guns–God forbid any of them ever had to actually work. The idiot who shot all the people in the movie theater in CO was charging guns, ammo, etc on cr crds and his idiot parents were footing the bill, never questioning anything. Now, let them get sued by the victims and their families.
February 21, 2013 at 4:13 PM
http://www.ocregister.com/news/aoki-496730-vasque…
Before you drag her name through the mud at least try to learn a bit about her. I went to school with her and she was an amazing person. You couldn't say a bad thing about her even if you tried. Wanting to go to school doesn't make her a bad person.
February 22, 2013 at 1:16 PM
No, but being a stripper explains her motive for being at the assailant's home at 4am.
February 21, 2013 at 5:01 PM
These kinds of killings are a growing problem in society….and our government needs to come up with a better solution then talking gun control. it wont change shit! the media needs to refain giving so many details!! This needs to be fixed…because if these killings continue at this rate, I wont want to send my kids to school…and Ill demand I get to carry a gun so I can protect my family. This is ridiculas. You cant feel safe doing anything anymore!
February 22, 2013 at 1:17 PM
"These kinds of killings are a growing problem in society"
Actually, not. According to FBI crime statistics, violent crimes such as this are at an all-time low, and have been dropping steadily for over a decade.
February 21, 2013 at 8:53 PM
The father also tells the dispatcher that their son has a rifle that he purchased legally.
No it was a shot gun that his father purchased for him do some research.
February 22, 2013 at 1:53 PM
"what a f**king chump", this punk was probably a spoiled rotten, angry brat that was catered to by his parents his whole life. Hearing the parents 911 call gives the impression they were afraid of him. They didn't say they were afraid of him but their tone just gave me that vibe. I hope he burns in hell!! RIP to all the victims
February 23, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Anyone who diminishes the value of a life lost due to a victim's occupation, deserves to trade places with the victim. Who cares if she was a stripper/prostitute? Does she have less value as a human being than a person of any other occupation?
A life has been cut brutally short. She could have moved on to becoming an educated professional, a wife, a mom, and lived a full life. Now that is not possible.
Shame on anyone who devalues a human life due to an occupation you do not approve of.