Clues Sought in Daylight Murder

Los Angeles.  Detectives seek the public’s help in solving the shooting death of a lone driver.  

At about 10:55 a.m. today, police dispatchers received a report of “shots fired” near the 1600 block of North Main Street, just south of the Los Angeles River.  Witnesses in the area observed what may have appeared to be a single-vehicle traffic collision.

Responding officers found a white 1985 Ford Crown Victoria crashed into a street sign on Wilhardt Street, west of Main Street.  Officers quickly determined that the driver was suffering from a gunshot wound.  Paramedics responded and pronounced the driver dead at scene.  While the investigation is in the early stages, the driver is believed to have been the only occupant of the Ford Crown Victoria at the time of the shooting.  The motive and gang involvement has not yet been determined.

The victim has been identified as Jonathan Miranda, a 27 year old man from Lincoln Heights.

Anyone with information is asked to call Central Area Detectives at 213-842-0727 during normal business hours.  After-hours and on weekends calls may be directed to the 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-877-LAPD 24-7 (527-3247).  Information may also be provided by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with LAPD or by logging on to  www.lapdonline.org, clicking on the “text-to-tip” icon and following the prompts.  Tipsters may remain anonymous.