Man Shot and Killed While Waiting to Meet with an Acquaintance NR13539SF

Los Angeles:  On Thursday December 19, 2013, Derrick Patton, a 32-year-old male Black resident of Los Angeles was waiting to meet with an acquaintance in the 6800 block of Hazeltine Avenue in the city of Van Nuys.

While waiting for the individual, Patton returned to his car around 7:35 p.m., and as he was sitting down in the driver’s seat, an unknown number of suspects traveling in a four-door sedan slowly drove along-side Patton’s car and opened fire, striking him multiple times in the torso.  The suspects then drove away northbound on Hazeltine Avenue, and Patton was later transported to a local hospital where he died.

Van Nuys Division homicide detectives are conducting the investigation and asking for the public’s help to provide information that might lead to the identity and arrest of the suspects wanted for Patton’s murder.

Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Van Nuys detective desk at (818) 374-0040.  After hours, please contact Van Nuys Division at (818) 374-1999 or 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers 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 www.lapdonline.org, and click on "Anonymous Web Tips.”