Two Unrelated shootings Occurred in South LA

Los Angeles: Southeast Homicide Detectives are investigating two unrelated shootings that occurred within an hour span in South Los Angeles.

On January 3, 2007, at about 8:20 PM, a 47 year-old victim was standing with a group of friends in a parking lot near 88th Place and Central Avenue. A light color, mid-size car drove into the parking lot and a gunman exited the car. He walked up to the victim and shot him without any provocation. The gunman got back into his car and drove off northbound on Central Avenue.

There were several other groups of people in the parking lot at the time, but the suspect appeared to specifically target the victim. Although detectives interviewed several witnesses, the gunman’s description remained vague.

The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification to his family and the motive for the shooting is unknown.

The second, unrelated homicide occurred around 9:25 PM. Three family members were sitting on their front porch in the 9700 block of South Evers Avenue. An older model red pickup truck drove up and a gunman exited. He fired several rounds at the victims, striking all three. The gunman got back into his truck and drove off.

Jeronimo Amaya, 30, received a fatal gunshot wound to his chest and died at a local hospital. Two other victims, in their 20s, were rushed to a local hospital and were treated for multiple gunshot wounds. They are both expected to survive.

The gunman was described as a Hispanic man in his early 20’s, and the shooting appears to be gang related.

Anyone with information on either of these shootings is asked to call Southeast Homicide Detectives at 213-972-7816. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).