WHAT:
News Conference

WHO:
Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief, Jim P. McDonnell, Office of Human Resources, Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief, George Gascon, Office of Operations, Los Angeles City Councilwomen, Jan Perry, Council District 9, Louis H. Gray, Assistant Commanding Officer of Operations-Central Bureau, Newton Area Homicide Detectives

WHEN:
Thursday, February 12, 2004
2:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Newton Area Police Station
3400 South Central Avenue
Los Angeles

Los Angeles: On February 4, 2004, at around 2:00 p.m., three suspects walked in a convenience store, located in the 300 block of West 39^th Street and committed an armed robbery. Before the three suspects ran away from the location, one of them shot a 72 year-old male customer in the face. The victim was taken to USCMC hospital and is listed in critical condition. On February 6, 2004, the victim, identified as Percy Taylor died from his injuries.

After the news release of the security video of the crime, detectives received several anonymous tips regarding the possible identity of the three suspects. These tips aided the investigating detectives who were able to identify the three suspects and the getaway vehicle used in the murder of Percy Taylor. Wants were placed in the system for their arrests.

On February 11, 2004, Newton Area Detectives and the Newton Gang Impact Team (GIT), located one of the suspects, identified as Zack Gaines, a 21 year-old male Black in the area of La Brea and Inglewood. He was taken into custody without incident and arrested for murder.

On February 12, 2004, at 12:30 a.m., a second suspect, identified as Kaheal Parrish, a 22 year-old male Black was detained during a routine traffic stop by a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, in the city of Palmdale. At the time of his detention Parrish was driving the vehicle that was used in the getaway.

The third suspect, Earl Childs, a 21 year-old male Black, is still outstanding and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. All three suspects are members of a local street gang.

Photographs of all three suspects will be made available and family members of Percy Taylor will be in attendance at the news conference. The video will also be made available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Newton Area Homicide Detectives, at 323-846-6556. On weekends and during off-hours, please contact the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This news advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Adriana N. Sanchez, Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.