LAPD units were called just before 2 p.m. to the Croft House furniture store in the 300 block of La Brea Avenue near Beverly Boulevard.
LAPD Detective Herman Frettlohr told an afternoon news conference that the victim was alone at the store when she was attacked and killed by the suspect, who was last seen once exit from the back of the store, heading north through an alley.
The employee was found dead by a customer who walked into the business, Frettlohr said.
During the press conference, the police did not reveal whether a weapon had been recovered.
The suspect is described as black, wearing a black hoodie with skinny jeans and dark shoes. He wore a white N95 mask and carried a backpack, police said.
Video obtained by Eyewitness News shows the suspect dressed in black clothing and wearing a white mask as he walks away from the store.
The victim has been identified as Brianna Kupfer, 24. A LinkedIn page that appears to belong to her indicates that she was a designer at Croft House.
It is not known whether the victim knew the suspect and the motive for the attack is still under investigation.
Police are combing through surveillance footage.
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