Beloved martial arts instructor Fahness Lutalo, 44, died at 12:12 p.m. on Thursday after he was shot multiple times inside his gym, O.C. Boxing & MMA Academy in Tustin, Calif.
At 1:05 a.m. on Friday, Kirk Vernell Price, 53, turned himself in, and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He is being held on $1 million bail. According to police, Rice has an extensive criminal history that includes robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and parole violations.
Friends of Lutalo cited jealousy as the motive, and said the two knew each other for approximately a decade, through the Orange County martial arts community.
Kirk was a friend that turned into a frenemy that turned into someone consumed with jealousy, said Andrew DeLeon, Lutalo’s friend and former roommate, to Ayssa Durante for the OC Register.
[Lutalo] built the gym himself and was proud of the fact that he was able to have one of the scarce black-owned businesses in O.C. that was completely self made.”
Kirk knew him from the days when he had nothing. Both came from the city and the same walk of life. To see Fahness succeed and Kirk fail, that’s what led Kirk to murder Fahness.
I wish there was a deeper story than jealousy.
According to Lutalo’s father Jerry Wilson, Price had formerly worked out at the gym, but was barred approximately a year ago for misconduct.
“He had this, ‘I’m the bad guy, the guy to beat,’” said Wilson to Jonathan Lloyd for NBCLA. “Fact he couldn’t do that with my son, I think he was jealous.”
Wiklson said Price returned to the gym last week, and met with his son.
“The guy came back begging for a second chance,” said Wilson.
Lutalo’s friend Kevin Clifton added further detail.
“Think they even hugged it out and had a few laughs,” said Clinton.
“You want to make sense of it, but you can’t. Just a beacon of light. He was someone you want to be around, someone who inspires you.
“He felt like he had made it. There were just good things to come. For it to be cut short is tragic.”
Lutalo was the father of three children, boys 19 and 23, and a daughter, 16. The younger two live with their mother, from whom Lutalo was divorced. Family, friends, and students plan to gather at the gym at 7 p.m. Saturday in remembrance.
A GoFundMe memorial fund has been set up.
Police are still searching for the murder weapon, and the suspect’s vehicle, a black 2013 Chevrolet Spark with tinted windows and license plate No. 7BMS565. Anyone with information on this case please contact Detective Lomeli with the Tustin PD at 714.573.3250.
Kirk Price:
Missing vehicle:
Rest in Peace Fahness Lutalo:
