Grasset Murder--Killer's Silver Impala had Blue Light Near License Plate

10/3/2016

October 3, 2016FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECentral Precinct detectives investigating the September 25th shooting death of tourist Teddy Grasset of Los Angeles today announced that the murderer’s silver later model Chevrolet Impala had a bluish light around the rear license plate, in addition to having a sunroof and a spoiler on the trunk.“I have no doubt that persons in our area have seen this vehicle and likely know who it belongs to,” Commander John Drake said. “The distinctive bluish hue coming off of the rear license plate sets this Impala apart. I truly believe that there are those in our community who can help us identify those responsible for this senseless act.”A reward of $5,000, in addition to Crime Stoppers’ reward of up to $1,000, is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible.Surveillance video shows that Grasset, 30, was killed without provocation after he and his friend, Larry Niehues, 28, were approached by two men who exited the Impala, one from the front passenger seat, the other from the rear passenger side. The killer, who was the front seat passenger, wore a black hoodie and light pants. The rear seat passenger wore a white ball cap, a dark short sleeve pullover shirt and what appear to be jeans. He wore black tennis shoes with white soles. The driver of the Impala remained in the vehicle.Grasset and Niehues were walking south on 4th Avenue near the loading dock of the Country Music Hall of Fame when the Impala approached and the two suspects got out. Niehues ran toward Korean Veterans Boulevard while Grasset ran around the Impala in the opposite direction toward Demonbreun Street.Anyone recognizing the silver Impala which had the bluish light near the license plate, or anyone recognizing the suspects from the moving surveillance video released today, is asked to immediately contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous, qualify for the reward money, and will be assigned a code number. The bluish light is clearly visible from one angle of the surveillance video. That detail was not immediately released so that officers throughout the city could work to locate it without tipping off the suspects. A photograph of the suspects and the car was released shortly after the murder.“A number of calls have been received by Crime Stoppers thus far,” Drake said. “We continue to look for the substantive tip that will lead us to the killer of Mr. Grasset.”###Video Links:Note: Commander John Drake will be available to media at 2 p.m. at Riverfront Park in regard to the above news release.