Reward Offered for Information Related to the Shooting of Three Mentally Challenged Adults NR11150kr

Los Angeles:  At a news conference this morning at LAPD’s 77th Street Community Police Station, Captain Dennis Kato announced a $75,000 reward obtained through Council member Bernard Parks, Council District 8, for information leading to the identity, arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for a tragic South Los Angeles shooting that injured three of society’s most vulnerable members.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 77th Street Area detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects wanted for the shooting of three mentally challenged people on March 7, 2011, at about 12:50 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Vernon Avenue.  The three victims were in the backyard of an adult daycare center when they became unintended victims in the shooting.

There are two suspects connected with the incident.  Both are described as male Blacks , one wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt and the other wearing a black shirt with red lettering.  They were standing on the northwest corner of Vernon and Van Ness Avenues when they began firing a handgun at two unidentified, Black male victims who were walking on the south side of Vernon Avenue near Van Ness Avenue.  When the gunfire erupted, the two intended victims began running east on the south side of Vernon Avenue to escape.  Neither of those victims ever notified police of the incident, and they remain unidentified.

After the shooting, both suspects ran to a vehicle parked at the northwest corner of Vernon and Van Ness Avenues and entered the left rear passenger side of the car.  The suspects then drove away southbound on Van Ness Avenue.

The three victims suffer from profound mental challenges that require continuous day care and supervision.  They are described as a 29-year-old Black female shot in the head, a 31-year-old Black male shot in the face and a 34-year-old Black female with a graze wound to the head.

All three victims were transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles City Fire Department personnel. Since the shooting, the 29-year-old victim is making a slow recovery and is facing additional surgery. The 31-year-old man shot in the face is doing well and is in good condition.  The 34-year-old victim of the graze wound has fully recovered physically from her injuries.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call 77th Area detectives at 213-473-4861.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on “webtips” and follow the prompts.