Los Angeles: On July 14, 2004, at about 6:00 p.m., 15 year-old Nikko Edjuan Gilmore was walking southbound on Ainsworth Street near 123^rd Street along with three friends. A car approached the group, slowed down and a passenger in the vehicle fired numerous gunshots, striking Gilmore. Gilmore’s friends ran for help. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced him dead at the location.

On July 14, 2004, at about 8:25 p.m., 16 year-old Joshua Jewel Blackshire was standing on the sidewalk near 111^th Street and Figueroa Street. Four male Black suspects walked up to Blackshire, one of the suspects was armed with a handgun and fired numerous gunshots, striking Blackshire. Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and transported Blackshire to a local hospital where he died from his injuries.

The murder of Blackshire appears to be a direct retaliation for the murder of Gilmore that occurred approximately 2½ hours earlier. Neither Gilmore nor Blackshire have been positively identified as gang members. However, based on their locations at the time of these incidents each appears to have been mistaken as gang associates.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting which occurred in the area of Gilmore’s residence about two hours after the murder of Blackshire. This third occurrence also appears to be in direct retaliation of the Blackshire murder.

This style of vigilante shooting jeopardizes the safety of the entire community regardless of any perceived gang affiliation. The cooperation of the community is vital to capture the perpetrators and conspirators of these criminal activities.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Southeast Homicide Detectives, at 213-485-6902. 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 release was prepared by Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Section, at 213-485-3586.