PALMDALE – A 38-year-old man died after he was shot in the head late Monday night in Palmdale.
Stefan Burks was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital and pronounced dead around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday, according to Assistant Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
Detectives have released little information about the shooting, which was reported around 10:10 p.m., Monday, May 12 in the 2500 Block of Bottle Tree Drive in Palmdale.
Investigators were on scene for most of the day Tuesday; and Bottle Tree Drive, between the 2500 and the 2700 block, was blocked off all morning as investigators interviewed family members and neighbors.
A man, who asked not to be identified, claimed he was inside the home Monday night when the shooting apparently occurred in the garage.
“I was sitting on the couch… all of a sudden, [name removed] runs in the house and says, ‘Stefan got shot in the f**king head!’ And that’s when I dialed 911, ran straight into the garage and did exactly what the lady told me to do,” the unidentified witness said.
Stefan was shot in the back of the head, the witness said. Stefan was a medical marijuana cardholder, and he was growing marijuana inside and outside the garage where he was shot, the witness claimed.
Homicide detectives would not confirm any of this information Tuesday afternoon. They said they would release more information once a preliminary investigation was completed.
We will have more details on this story when they become available.
his friend says
any info about who did this to him yet?
Hans says
as far as I know They didn’t take any of his plants, we dont know why he got killed so weed really has nothing to do with it. I didn’t know stefan for very long but I never saw him be anything but nice. He wasnt out in the street causing problems he just hung out at the house with friends.he didnt deserve this
Bob says
RIP
sad says
Live by the sword die by the sword. ..
andrew says
Keep talking [removed] about someone you never new botch made people
just someone who read it in the paper says
Im so sorry for Stefan and I hope that his family and friends can heal during this terrible time of loss. This is so tragic and it doesn’t matter what Stefan grew for a living no one deserves to be killed.I went on his Facebook page after reading about what happened to him in the paper and it really upset me that he had his address in one of his comments of one of his pictures. Doing what he did with growing his stuff and showing pictures of his money and stuff I really wish he would not have never made his address public where anyone can see it. I dont know whether he knew the person or not that did this to him but I hope they find him and he pays for what he did to this poor man. May God Bless you Stefan and your family and my you rest in peace.
Jeanette says
Danny- you need to be more concerned with the fact your children are growing up in a home with a dad who does not have a very good sense of when and where to state opinions.My condolences to the family. I don’t know this man but Good Lord people have some class!
Danny says
Jeanette,
This is an open form so anyone can post including people like you with a narrow mind. Also why do you think I’m a male?
I have no concercerns about my kids and who says I have kids it may be a figure of speech. But non the less I encourage any one to speak their mind including you Jean
andrew says
Who ever did this is a [removed] they had to shot him in the back of the head because they new he would have beat there was what a [removed] move justice will be served one way or another hopefully on his behalf the cops find him before we do rip big homie love you
andrew says
Who ever did this is a [removed] they had to shot him in the back of the head because they new he would have beat there was what a [removed] move justice will be served one way o rip big homie love you
[removed] says
I understand that family and friends alike have lost someone dear to them. I have sympathy for their loss. I must say though, first impressions based on the Facebook photo that accompanies this story, as well as the details provided, lead me to a negative first impression. Seriously, this isn’t your average, local Mom and Pop business and it ain’t Colorado. I wondered what was up with all the commotion and readied myself; it is east Palmdale after all. Bummer for those that care and bummer for those within proximity that don’t.
Carson says
Maybe you, and the rest of the posters who apparently know absolutely nothing about the medical marijuana laws of our state, or human rights for that matter, should either learn to research and read or simply keep your narrow-minded opinions to yourselves.
Are you saying that, because this man is not an “average” (read “white republican”) mom or pop business ( read “liquor store” – society’s #1 acceptable addiction and taker of innocent lives) and we are not in Colorado, and he lived in, gasp!, EAST PALMDALE, no one should be surprised (read as “not care”) of his MURDER?
I have news for you, Mr or Mrs White Republican Racist, California is a state that allows legal medical marijuana use and, as such, the patients are also allowed to grow. Many of your friends and relatives would prefer to use this natural medicine, which has been scientifically documented as curing cancer, diabetes, and migraines, to name a FEW, while you pop your poisonous prescription pills, which do not cure, but dull symptoms, kill the body and make large corporations rich. You don’t know who in your circle has wised up and use medical marijuana, as no one will confide in you because of your pea-brained views.
Stay in your make-believe castle where crime follows city boundaries and only “bad” people use medicinal marijuana. One day – very soon – you will be in the minority.
This man helped people. He was a pioneer, and he was legal.
You jerk.
John says
@Carson – White Republican Racist? You’re the only one that brought race into the discussion. If you want to see a true racist, look in the mirror.
Carson says
Don’t be naive, “John”. I may have been the only one with the guts to say it, but I certainly wasn’t the only one to recognize the underlying message.
MR. PERPLEXED says
@Carson OOOOOOHHHH SO THAT EXPLAINS IT…
THAT TATOO ON HIS STOMACH SFV STANDS FOR
SACRED
FAMILY
VALUES
AND HERE I WAS THINKIN THAT IT STOOD FOR
SAN
FERNANDO
VALLEY
A VERY VICIOUS CRIMINAL GANG!
OMG says
Did anyone miss that pic AV press ran today in the front? lol ….
AdolphOliverMuff says
Stefan was a Big Brother, donated to Make-a-Wish, spent his weekends working with disabled children, taught Sunday School, held a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, was a decorated Navy veteran, and loved his daschunds. (Not really)
Holly Rex says
Stefan was a brother, a son, an uncle, a cousin, a friend and loved by many. He did many positive things for family and friends alike. Perhaps since you didn’t know him and have nothing encouraging to say to those of us that are grieving, you should kindly keep your sarcasm to yourself.
Reality Check says
He was a drug dealer. He lived a life of crime and died because of it. He made his choices and he knew the risks. He was NOT an upstanding citizen.
Godisnotdead says
Regardless of what the young man was into, someone loved him and your being disrespectful to his family. ( Point Blank).. and more than likely your throwing stones and live in a glass house..
Claire J says
*medicinal drug dealer.
Jon says
If you didn’t know him I suggest you keep your thoughts to yourself! There full of bullshit! No one deserves to be shot in the head and killed regardless especially Stefin! He was humble,Kind, and kept to himself for the most part.
Carson says
He was a legal and licensed medical marijuana grower. You can try to turn him into something ugly because you are too ignorant to understand and appreciate the reality, but it does NOT make your lies a truth.
“Reality Check” for real.
bird says
AdolphOliverMuff—The same blanket statement you make isn’t funny, so please give it a rest.
amanda says
Are you ducking kidding me he was a great brother son uncle and all…. Coming from a friend Who lived with him… I could go to him for anything I had a Problem with he was smart and kind… RIP stefan you’ll be deeply missed
..... says
Stefan was a good man he didnt have to go out like that.
Danny says
A legal grower….. I guess anyone can now grow pot that’s what I would want next to my kids. Legal or not it still breeds crap that should not be in the neighborhood prim example just read the article.
Carson says
So you’re saying we should condemn the victim because of your personal views? Despite the fact that it is legal? When do we condemn pharmacies and liquor stores for creating addicts and domestic abusers and such? Can I kill your doctor for his prescription pad? Your pharmacist for their drugs? Your liquor store owner for their booze? I mean, they are all legal, sure, but they breed crime too. Right????
Danny says
Carson,
For one it’s not legal in the eyes of the federal government so get your facts strait. Second if you grow where your family lives in the middle of a neighborhood we should be lucky he was the only one. What ever his back ground was it is what it is their is a risk legal or not. So was he also “dispensing” from his garage?
Remember prohibition really didn’t work in general more people enjoy drinking than smoking pot.
Addicts are born not made everyone has a choice to smoke it, drink it , snort it or shot it. Please don’t preach, It’s always someone else’s fault don’t blame me the education that this shit’s bad has been around for sometime now.
What ever this guy was into died with him and I hope they catch the trash that did it.
Carson says
@Danny – don’t tell me not to preach when I am stating the law and my opinions just like everyone else. Why do you rate and I dont? Give me a break, man. Stefan was operating according to law. Regardless of the federal laws, he was no less legal than anyone else growing or operating a dispensary. As far as your question of whether he was dispensing, now you are just ASSUMING like others and, again, without proper knowledge of the laws, because he could legally grow for other patients. Now I’m out.
John says
Just another day in the good old Antelope Valley.