Security Guard Gunned Down at Medical Marijuana Facility

October 2, 2008

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have arrested two men suspected of killing a security guard at a medical marijuana facility yesterday in Mid-Wilshire area.

At around 3:45 p.m., three men walked into the La Brea Collective located at 812 South La Brea Avenue. With the intent to rob the dispensary, the men confronted a security guard identified as Noe Campos Gonzalez, 25. A fight broke out and during the fight, one of the men pulled out a handgun and brutally shot Gonzalez. The victim was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Hospital where he died a short time later.

The suspects fled on foot; responding officers set up a perimeter in an attempt to contain the suspects. Two suspects were found and taken into custody. The remaining suspect is still at large. He is described as a male African American , 5 feet 7 inches tall, 160 pounds, with a slim build in his 20s. His hair is styled in corn rows and he was last seen wearing a white tank top, beige shorts and white sneakers.

The two suspects arrested have been identified as Leon Banks, 31 and Lovie Matthew, 30. Both men are charged with murder and are being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone who has information about this murder is urged to call Wilshire Division homicide detectives at 213-473-0446. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855) or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit a web tip on our website at www.lapdonline.org.