Homicide Investigation

Los Angeles – On Friday, April 20, 2001 at approximately 3:30 P.M., a gang related shooting occurred at 116th Street and Avalon Blvd. A suspect, male Black, gang member was involved in a confrontation with a group of other gang members. The suspect fired several rounds from a handgun towards the group. One male victim was wounded as he fled from the armed suspect. A stray bullet fired by the suspect, struck an innocent female victim who was standing across the street.
The victim, Menelva Tippie, 48-years-old was a Los Angeles Department of Transportation employee (school crossing guard), who was talking to a co-worker at the time of this incident. Ms. Tippie has been employed as a school crossing guard since 1984, when crossing guards were under the jurisdiction of The Los Angeles Police Department.
Ms. Tippie was transported to a local hospital where she failed to respond to emergency medical treatment and was pronounced dead.
The motive is gang related. The suspect(s) and weapon remain outstanding.
Southeast Homicide Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the person responsible for the shooting death of Menelva Tippie and the wounding of a second individual. Anyone with information can contact Detectives Labarbera and Nickerson at 213-485-6902 or 213-485-6929.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer, La Donna Cissell, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.