Five Homicides, Over a Two Day Period in South Central L.A.

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, May 22, 2000

"Five Homicides, Over A Two Day Period In South Central L.A."

Los Angeles – Southeast Homicide Detectives are currently investigating five Homicides that occurred between May 17, 2000 at 8:00 p.m.- May 18, 2000 at 9:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at 8:00 p.m., the victim Marvin Johnson III, a 21-year-old male was standing with a group of friends at the corner of 104th Street and Clovis Avenue. Victim Johnson was on a bicycle along with his friend, who also was on a bicycle. The two, young men were standing with three, females between the ages of 13-17 years old. A mid sized vehicle drove northbound Clovis Avenue at 104th Street. The vehicle was occupied by four, male, Black suspects. One suspect leaned out the driver’s side window and began shooting toward the group of young men and women. The suspects’ vehicle continued northbound Clovis Avenue then westbound Century Boulevard. Victim Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene by responding LAFD Paramedics. The other four victims sustained gunshot wounds and where transported to local area hospitals. Their injuries ranged from serious to minor. The motive for this shooting is gang related.

On Wednesday, May 17, 2000, at approximately 9:35 p.m., victim DeBoris Price, a 30 year old, Black, male, was walking in front of 126 West 117th Street with two unidentified friends. A dark colored sedan traveling eastbound on 117th Street stopped in front of the group and fired several gunshots from the vehicle. Victim Price was struck by the gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim, Paul Rhodes, a 37 year old, Black, male, was standing inside the vacant lot just west of victim Price’s location. Victim Rhodes was struck by a stray round, but he was not the intended target. The motive for this shooting is Gang-Related.

On Thursday, May 18, 2000, at 8:50 a.m., victim Deangelo Anderson, a 17 year old, Black, male, was standing in front of the apartment complex at 10968 S. Avalon Boulevard. An older model, mid-size vehicle drove northbound past the apartment complex. A suspect leaned out the front passenger side window and fired several rounds from an unknown type handgun toward victim Anderson. The victim was struck once in the upper torso and collapsed on the ground. The suspect’s vehicle continued northbound on Avalon Boulevard. Victim Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics.

On Thursday, May 18, 2000, at approximately 8:55 p.m., victim Dennis Evans, a 22 year old, Black, male was with a male companion in the Imperial Courts Housing Development. The two men were arguing with the suspect regarding gang territory. The suspect produced an unknown type handgun and shot victim Evans. The victim’s friend was able to run to safety. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by LAFD paramedics. The motive for this shooting is gang-related.

On Thursday, May 18, 2000, at approximately 9:20 p.m., victim Kirk Alfred, a 45 year old, Black, male was walking with a friend, in front of 838 West 94th Street. A suspect drove by, victim Alfred who was on a bicycle. For no apparent reason, the suspect fired several rounds at the victim. Victim Kirk collapsed at the scene and was pronounced dead by responding paramedics.

Anyone with information regarding these crimes is urged to contact Southeast Area Homicide Detectives at 323-789-1493 or 213-485-6929. For further information in regards to this incident, please contact Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586.

For Release 3:00 pm PDT
May 22, 2000