Man fatally shot at Malibu Creek State Park while camping with daughters

The family of a 35-year-old man who was fatally shot while camping with his two young daughters at Malibu Creek State Park described him as a “supportive and generous husband� in a statement Sunday night.

Tristan Beaudette was shot at least once in the upper torso at about 4:45 a.m. on Friday, sheriff’s officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The children, ages 2 and 4, were not hurt in the shooting.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Rodney Moore said Sunday that investigators are still trying to identify the assailant, and are sifting through evidence from the scene for leads.

“The theory we are working with is he was shot inside the tent,� Moore said. “The children were inside the tent, too.

“We are working this as a homicide at this point,� he said. “We are gathering evidence.... It will take some time.�

Beaudette’s family said he was a “scientist who loved cooking and microbrews.� They said he was married to his high school sweetheart and was “happiest out in nature.

“His selfless devotion to his children came naturally, and Tristan found true joy in all aspects of being a father,� the family said. “The grief and trauma this loss has caused our close-knit family is indescribable.�

The shooting occurred inside the popular campground in an area frequented by hikers.

Malibu Creek State Park is four miles south of Highway 101 and is known around the world as the backdrop for the TV series “MASH,� as well as the movies “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid� and the original “Planet of the Apes.� Its 15 miles of hiking trails set among 8,200 scenic acres are a well-known destination spot for Angelenos on weekends.

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UPDATES:

June 24, 11:30 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from the victim’s family.

This article was originally published June 23 at 6:10 p.m.