North Hills - On Friday, January 5, 2001, at approximately 6:50 p.m., gunfire was heard in the area of Tobias Avenue and Nordhoff Street, by on-duty Devonshire Area Patrol personnel. Responding officers quickly ascertained the shots had emanated from behind a condominium complex located on the 14600 block of Nordhoff Street. The officers deployed upon the location and discovered the lifeless body of Dwayne Eugene Earles, a 23 year-old resident of North Hills, lying in an alleyway between several residential complexes. Earles appeared to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. The location was secured and Devonshire Homicide Detectives were summoned.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Earles drove to a condominium complex in the area and had just parked the car he was driving when he was approached by one of several male suspects that were congregated in the area. The suspect pointed a gun at Earles and shot him several times before all of the suspects fled from the scene. It is unknown whether the suspect(s) fled from the scene on foot or in a vehicle.

The motive for the attack is unknown and the case remains under investigation. The suspect has been described as male African-American in his late 20's, five foot ten inches tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information concerning the shooting is encouraged to contact Devonshire Homicide Detectives at 818-756-8291 during normal business hours, or 818-756-8285 during off hours.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Guillermo Campos, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.