12:48 PM PT -- Police say the suspect is 29-year-old Aariel Maynor, and he was captured partly because he literally shot himself in the foot.
Cops say several surveillance cameras captured Maynor's vehicle fleeing eastbound from Beverly Hills Wednesday morning after Jacqueline was shot. About an hour later, a shooting was reported in the Hollywood Hills, near the Griffith Observatory.
LAPD responded and found Maynor in a backyard suffering from a gunshot wound in his foot -- and determined he'd shot himself while allegedly burglarizing that home. LAPD took him into custody, but Beverly Hills PD says its detectives collected evidence connecting Maynor to the home invasion of the Avant's home.
BHPD says Maynor is the sole suspect in Jacqueline's death, and he was armed with an AR-15 during the break-in. We've learned he has an extensive criminal record dating back to 2013, and has done time for robbery and grand theft. He also got probation for a domestic violence case.
A suspect has been taken into custody in the shooting death of music legend Clarence Avant's wife, Jacqueline ... TMZ has learned.
Family sources with direct knowledge tell us a man has been arrested in connection to the murder.
TMZ broke the story, 81-year-old Jackie was shot and killed inside the couple's Trousdale Estates home in Beverly Hills Wednesday morning. At the time, we were told at least one suspect made it into the home. A smashed glass door appeared to be the point of entry.
What's more ... a private security guard for the Avant's was on duty, and was shot at, but was not struck and did not return fire. It's not known if the guard was armed.
Clarence was not injured during the attack..
During a press conference Wednesday, Beverly Hills Police Chief Mark Stainbrook shared a message from the family, but wouldn't share details on the investigation or who was involved.
Among tributes to Jacqueline was one from former President Bill Clinton, who said, "Jackie Avant was a wonderful woman, a great partner to Clarence and mother to Alex and Nicole, an active citizen & a dear friend to Hillary and me for 30 years. She inspired admiration, respect & affection in everyone who knew her. We are heartbroken. She will be deeply missed."
Originally Published -- 11:31 AM PT