Murder Suspect Arrested

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, June 11, 1999
On February 7, 1999, at approximately 11:00 A.M., victim Paul Johnson, 25 years of age, boarded a Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus in the Arleta area of Los Angeles. At approximately 12:05 P.M., the bus stopped at Lankershim Boulevard and Magnolia Boulevard in North Hollywood to allow other passengers to board and exit. A male boarded the bus and walked toward the rear and looked at victim Johnson. Johnson reportedly became agitated that the male looked at him and exchanged words with the male. At approximately 12:25 P.M., the bus stopped at Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood. The male who had exchanged words with Johnson prepared to exit the bus, turned, pointed a handgun at Johnson, and fired several shots at Johnson, mortally wounding him. The suspect fled the bus on foot. Victim Johnson expired at the scene. Witnesses reported that no other words had been exchanged by Johnson and the suspect prior to the shooting, and the motive for the shooting is still unknown.

Los Angeles Police Hollywood Detectives Lloyd Parry and Vicki Bynum were assigned to the investigation. On February 8, 1999, the Los Angeles City Council authorized a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.

The investigation over the next several months led Detectives Parry and Bynum to believe that Byron Cuff, 24 years of age, a resident of North Hollywood, was responsible for the crime. On June 8, 1999, the detectives arrested Cuff near his residence without incident. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed one count of 187 P.C., Murder on Mr. Cuff.

For Release 11:25 am PST
June 11, 1999