Los Angeles: On Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at about 2:40 a.m., Los Angeles resident, 36 year-old Leroy Smith, was inside the grounds of a business called The Motorcycle Club, located at 120th Street and Central Avenue.

Unknown to Smith, several armed suspects were hiding behind a fence to the rear of the property. Suddenly, the hidden assassins began shooting towards the club. Smith was hit in the torso and collapsed at the scene.

Los Angeles City Fire Department paramedics responded and transported Smith to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from his injuries.

Another unidentified male was shot in the leg and is listed in stable condition.

The motive for the shooting is gang related and the identities of the suspects are unknown at this time.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Southeast Homicide Detectives at 213-485-6902. On weekends and during off-hours, contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s 24-hour hotline at 1-877-LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jack Richter, Media Relation Section, 213-485-3586.