KTLA

Bystander fatally wounded in Compton gunfight: Sheriff’s Department

A man was fatally shot in Compton Saturday morning, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The shooting occurred in the 200 block of North Bowen Avenue at about 10:05 a.m., according to authorities.

The 45-year-old man, whose name was not released, was found in a driveway suffering from an unknown number of gunshot wounds, police said. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:25 p.m.


Authorities believe the man had been standing with friends about a half block away when “unknown persons in a compact car” exchanged gunfire with someone at the intersection of North Bowen Avenue and East Palmer Street.

The victim was “an innocent bystander struck by a stray bullet,” the Sheriff’s Department believes.

The shooters fled the area after the incident, and the weapon remains at large.

“This shooting is being investigated as gang related,” the Sheriff’s Department said in an update.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. To submit information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

This killing comes six days after a 65-year-old minister was shot and killed in Compton while walking to his car.