The quiet evening in Hawthorne, California, was shattered on Monday night, August 12, when a man in his late 40s was gunned down in a strip mall parking lot. The incident took place in the 12700 block of Crenshaw Boulevard, near El Segundo Boulevard, as the victim was leaving a liquor store. Authorities, led by Lt. Steven De Jong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, quickly responded to the scene.
According to De Jong, the shooting occurred just before 9:30 p.m. A group of people were gathered outside South Liquor Bank when a car pulled into the parking lot. Two men emerged from the vehicle, with one of them opening fire indiscriminately at the group. The suspects then fled the scene in the car, leaving chaos and tragedy in their wake.
Despite initial beliefs that the shooting was gang-related, investigators determined that the victim, a Hawthorne resident, was an innocent bystander with no ties to any gang activity. Tragically, he lost his life in a senseless act of violence. The incident was captured on video, showing the victim being struck while simply walking through the parking lot.
The strip mall, which also housed a barber shop and a nail salon, bore the brunt of the violence as several shots hit the building, shattering at least one window. The sound of gunfire alerted a Hawthorne police officer patrolling nearby, who witnessed the suspects fleeing in their vehicle. A brief pursuit ensued, leading to the apprehension of the driver, who was not believed to be the shooter.
However, two other suspects managed to escape on foot during the pursuit, evading authorities who set up a perimeter in an attempt to locate them. The investigation into the incident continued, with the victim’s identity being withheld pending notification of his family.
As the community grappled with the shock and tragedy of the shooting, authorities urged anyone with information to come forward. Homicide detectives could be reached at 323-890-5500, while anonymous tips could be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The violent events of that fateful night served as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk in even the most seemingly ordinary places. The loss of an innocent life underscored the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in combating senseless acts of violence in our communities.