| For Immediate Release Case # 13CF0291 January 30, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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75-YEAR-OLD MAN CHARGED WITH SHOOTING AND MURDERING DOCTOR IN NEWPORT BEACH MEDICAL OFFICE
SANTA ANA – A man has been charged with shooting and murdering his doctor in a Newport Beach medical office. Stanwood Fred Elkus, 75, Lake Elsinore, is charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait and the sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm causing death. If convicted, Elkus faces a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. The defendant is being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned today, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana. The arraignment time may be between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and is to be determined
At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2013, Elkus is accused of arriving at his doctor’s office in Newport Beach for an appointment while armed with a firearm. The defendant is accused of waiting in an exam room until his doctor, victim Ronald Gilbert, entered. Elkus is accused of then pulling out the firearm and murdering Gilbert by shooting him multiple times.
Other doctors heard the shots and ran to assist Gilbert. They attempted to revive the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Elkusis accused of giving the firearm to a medical staff member in the office and surrendering to police without incident.
The Newport Beach Police Department is investigating this case.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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