Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) 77th Homicide Squad detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspect who murdered 20-year-old Claudio Johnson.
On May 30, 2010 at around 7 a.m., LAPD 77th Street Area officers responded to a shooting call in the 5900 block of South Figueroa Street. Upon arriving, the officers discovered the body of an African American man, later identified as Claudio Johnson, of South Los Angles. Johnson was lying in an alleyway behind his house and had been shot.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to the scene and pronounced Johnson dead.
Detectives believe that Johnson was walking from his home when the suspect, described only as an African American male approached on foot. While Johnson does not have any gang ties, Detectives believe that the suspect asked Johnson about his gang affiliation and then shot him.
The suspect then ran east on 59th Place and then north on Flower Street. The suspect entered a grey mid-sized sedan and drove away. The suspect collided with a parked car on Flower Street but continued to drive away from the scene.
The LAPD 77th Homicide Squad detectives are urging the public to provide information which could lead them to the suspect, weapon and get-away car.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Criminal Gang Homicide Division, 77th Homicide Squad Detectives Young Mun or Ernesto Mendoza at 213-485-1383. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.