Victim Shoots and Kills Robbery Suspect

Los Angeles: A 22-year-old would-be robber was fatally shot by a store clerk during an armed robbery Wednesday.

On October 4, 2006, at around 1:00 p.m., Lonnell Davison went to the "U Save Variety Store" in the 5100 block of South Western Avenue and posed as a customer. Davison picked up some merchandise and walked to the counter. He then pulled out a handgun and demanded money. Davison took the money from the clerk and fired one round as he left. The clerk fired back, and Davison dropped his handgun and ran away.

Shortly thereafter, around 1:45 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to Slauson Avenue and La Brea Boulevard to meet Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputies regarding a shooting victim. The deputies had just picked up the wounded Davison after hearing shots in the area of 54th Street and Van Ness. Davison was transported to local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators interviewed the store clerk who told them that he had shot Davison in self-defense during the robbery. The clerk positively identified Davison as the robbery suspect.

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to call 77th Street Homicide Detectives at 213-485-1383. After hours or on weekends, call the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).