Murder Investigation in 77th Area

August 14, 2001

"Murder Investigation in 77th Area"
 

Los Angeles: On Tuesday afternoon, August 14, 2001, at approximately 4:00 p.m., 32 year old victim, Ishmael Byrd, was driving a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard. Byrd stopped at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Slauson Avenue and was waiting for the tri-light signal to turn green. Unknown suspect drove up along side of him and stopped. The suspect then exited and walked to the rear of Byrd’s car, and without warning, fired several rounds into the car. Byrd sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso. Although mortally wounded, he attempted to drive away at a high rate of speed northbound on Crenshaw Boulevard, and collided with a vehicle that was traveling eastbound on Slauson Avenue. Byrd’s car continued northbound and came to rest on the sidewalk of Crenshaw Boulevard. Byrd was transported to Martin Luther King Jr. Hospital where he was pronounce dead. The suspect was last seen driving away at a high rate of speed eastbound on Slauson Avenue.
The motive is unknown. The suspect and the murder weapon remain outstanding.
The investigation is being conducted by LAPD 77th Street Homicide Detectives Charles Tizano and Karen Jones. Anyone with information concerning this incident is requested to call 77th Street Homicide Unit at 213-485-1385 or Detective Headquarters Division at 213-485-2505 during off-hours.
This press release was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section 213-485-3586.