Street Vendor Shot and Killed

Los Angeles:  A street vendor was shot and killed during an apparent robbery.
On Friday, February 27, 2009 at around 9:30 a.m., Rampart Area patrol officers responded to a shooting investigation with a possible victim down at 325 South Witmer Street.   When officers arrived at the location, they found the victim on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. 
Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he failed to respond to emergency surgery and died a short time later.
The detectives’ investigation revealed the motive for the shooting was believed to be robbery.  The suspect demanded money and shot the victim after he refused to comply.  The victim, later identified as 46-year-old Cosme Gonzalez, was a street vendor who sold tamales in the neighborhood for many years. 
The suspect was described as a male Hispanic in his early 20s with a shaved head and brown eyes.  He was approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs about 155 pounds.   After the shooting the suspect was seen running westbound between the buildings. 
Anyone with information regarding this murder investigation is asked to contact Rampart Homicide Detectives Jeff Cortina or John Motto at (213) 484-3650.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website:  www.lapdonline.org.  All tips may remain anonymous.