Gunfire Erupts After Party; One Dies and Another Wounded – UPDATE

"Gunfire Erupts After Party; One Dies and Another Wounded – Update"
 
Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Area Homicide Detectives are investigating the shooting of two men; one who was killed by the gunfire.
On September 29, 2002 at 12:24 a.m., LAPD Foothill Area patrol officers responded to an "Ambulance En Route, Shots Fired Call" on the 11900 block of Phillippi Avenue in Pacoima. There, at the incident location, the officers found two shooting victims.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a group of people, including the victims and suspect, were leaving a party when an argument broke out. The suspect began shooting at three men and then escaped on foot. One victim, 24 year-old Van Nuys Area resident Jamul Thomas, was fatally wounded and died later a local hospital. Thomas’ 21 year-old brother was also struck by the gunfire, but survived the attack and was being treated at a local hospital. The third victim escaped unharmed. The fleeing suspect was described as a 20 year-old male Hispanic, dark complexion, 6’0" tall and armed with a semi-automatic handgun. No weapon was recovered and detectives believe the crime to be gang-related.
Anyone with information should contact the Foothill Area Homicide Unit at 818-834-3115 or 818-756-8861. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.
This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

UPDATE: October 17, 2002

On October 17, 2002, Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Area Homicide Detectives served search warrants at four separate locations that resulted in the arrest of one adult and three juvenile suspects. All four suspects were arrested for gang-related crimes. One 17 year-old male Hispanic juvenile was arrested for the Murder of Jamul Thomas, and booked for Murder During the Commission of a Robbery. Robert Gonzales, a 20 year-old male Hispanic, was also arrested for a Felony Weapons violation in connection with Thomas’ murder. Two other Juveniles were arrested for Terrorist Threats in an unrelated gang crime.