Los Angeles: On January 6, 2003, at 4:20 p.m., North Hollywood Area patrol officers and Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to a radio call of a shooting in progress in the 6000 block of Fair Avenue, in North Hollywood. Upon arrival, the officers discovered two male victims lying in a residential driveway suffering from gunshot wounds. The officers also received information that the suspect was still inside a house that was located directly across the street from the victims’ location. Consequently, Los Angeles Police Department SWAT Officers extracted the two victims from the suspect’s line of fire and carried them to awaiting ambulances. The location was then contained by responding North Hollywood units and nearby residents were evacuated.

Metropolitan Division officers made contact with the suspect, who was then taken into custody without incident. A search of the suspect’s residence resulted in the recovery of a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and 10 expended casings. The motive for the shooting is unclear, however, the suspect had expressed a dislike and fear of several of his neighbors in a recent police report.

The suspect is identified as Steeve Burkle, a Jamaican, 38 years of age, who lived across the street from the victims. Burkle was booked for Penal Code section 187 (Murder). It is anticipated Burkle will be arraigned on Wednesday, January 8, 2003 in Van Nuys court, Division 100.

Victim number one, Hector L. Bisente, a Filipino, 67 years of age, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hector Bisente’s son, victim number two, George Bisente, 38 years of age, was airlifted to a neighboring hospital where he is in guarded condition due to multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso.

Anyone with additional information that may assist in this investigation is urged to call North Hollywood Homicide Detectives at 818-623-4045. On weekends and during off-hours, please call the 24-hour toll free number at Detective Information Desk, 1 877 LAWFULL, 1-877-529-3855.

This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Renee’ Montoya, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.