Man Shot at Cousin’s Funeral Dies in Los Angeles Hospital

Los Angeles: A man who was shot outside a relative’s funeral yesterday in south Los Angeles has died at a local hospital.

On Saturday, April 28, 2007, around 12:35 p.m., Robert Hunter, 34, was standing at the entrance to the Southern Missionary Baptist Church, 4678 West Adams Boulevard, where a memorial service was being held for his cousin. Hunter and another man became involved in an argument that escalated to a physical altercation. Others present for the services intervened and separated the two men. The suspect walked away from the crowd but then pulled a gun, fired and struck Hunter multiples times. Other individuals attending the funeral fired additional gunshots. Besides Hunter, two victims sustained graze wounds to their legs and ankles.

The suspect was a Black male in his early 20s. He fled in an unknown direction.

Hunter’s brother carried him to a parked vehicle and attempted to rush him to the hospital. Wilshire patrol officers heard the crime broadcast on their radio and stopped the brother’s vehicle in front of Los Angeles Fire Station #63 at 5023 West Washington Boulevard. Paramedics rendered emergency medical treatment and transported Hunter to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 6:20 p.m.

The two additional victims were not seriously injured.

The shooting is gang related.

South Bureau Homicide Detectives Rick Gordon and Rick Carreon are handling the investigation. Anyone with information on the suspect or his whereabouts is asked to call 213-485-2418, during normal business hours. After hours and on weekends, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAW-FULL (1-877-529-3855).