Man Murdered in Busy LA Shopping Mall Parking Lot NR09243rh

Los Angeles:  A man was killed in the parking structure of a shopping mall yesterday in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles and his alleged assailant was detained by Los Angeles Airport (LAX) police three hours later.

On May 18, 2009, at around 3:10 p.m., police were called out to investigate a "shots fired" call in the 8500 block of Beverly Boulevard.  When the officers arrived, they found 21-year-old Roderick Anthony Burton of Atlanta Georgia, lying on the ground suffering from several gunshot wounds. 

Paramedics rushed the victim to a local hospital where he died a short time later.   

The detectives immediately developed several leads to help them identify the suspect who fled the scene before police arrived.  The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Aubrey Louis Berry, a resident of Snellville, Georgia.  He was arrested at LAX at about 6:15 p.m. and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail. 

Investigators have not determined what prompted the shooting and the investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone with information about the murder incident is urged to contact Wilshire Homicide Detectives at 213-473-0446.  During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247).  Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on web tips.  When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD."  Tipsters may remain anonymous.