Dispatch: 'It's always the good kids, that's the sad part about it'

Samuel Leonard, a 22-year-old black man, was shot and killed in the 1700 block of West Century Boulevard in Gramercy Park on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to Los Angeles police.

Leonard was leaving Shyrea's Liquor at the intersection of West Century Boulevard and Hobart Boulevard about 8 p.m. when he was approached by an unidentified black man, police said. The man shot him several times, then got into a red pickup truck and drove away north on Hobart Boulevard, police said.

Leonard managed to run but collapsed at a nearby McDonalds restaurant. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

This afternoon friends and neighbors of Leonard gathered at memorial set up at the site of his shooting. Surrounded by caution tape, the display included 22 votive candles, more than 10 bouquets, two pictures, and a handful of stuffed animals.

Albert Tyson, 45, said he lived across the street from Leonard and had known him since he was 14 or 15 years old.

"He was a good kid," Tyson said. "He didn't get into any trouble. He didn't use drugs."

Tashika Brackens, 32, lived down the street from Leonard. She said her husband was friends with him, and he would frequently drop by her home to say hello to her two young daughters or ask what they were making for dinner.

"He would talk to anybody. He was real friendly," she said. "I had seen him that morning.... I think someone was just jealous he had a good job and a good car."

She said Leonard worked at LAX in the baggage claim department but wanted to get a job with her as a bus driver and, eventually, to go back to school.

"It's always the good kids, that's the sad part about it," she said. "I just don't understand, just don't understand. He was like a little brother to me."

Though there were several visitors to Leonard's memorial, people did not linger.

"People get shot up at memorials now," Tyson said. "I don't want to stay too long."

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call LAPD 77th Division Dets. F. Weber or Y. Mun at 323-485-1383.

-- Anthony Pesce in Gramercy Park

Photo: A street memorial for Samuel Leonard, a 22-year-old black man. Leonard was shot while getting into his car at the intersection of West Century Boulevard and Hobart Boulevard in Gramercy Park. Credit: Anthony Pesce / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[kev northern england uk]

a sad story,my condolances to the family.

[jayteereal]

I wonder how many times do we have to see our innocent kids getting killed by these heartless cowards. We need to stand up against these cowards and say enough is enough!!. We need to start anonymously turning these thugs in, start alerting the Police when we see them walking around selling drugs or in our neighborhood or when we see them with weapons in our neighborhoods, because if we don't start standing up against these types of crimes, then no one else will for us, and you or your family might one day become a victim, and need help. Please we must start standing up against these cowards, and the senseless crimes they do against us. Call We Tip lines @ 800-78-CRIME (27463) or
800-47-DRUGS (37847)

[Fred]

Kevin Sipert was also a good kid no gang ties a 17 year young african american skate boarder Compton kid.

Who did not hurt anyone, kill by a bullet a from a coward gangster's gun.

But our caring goverment has money for wars to protect us from terrorist. Well my terrorist are gangs than run in Compton not Iraq or Afghanistan.

[syscom3]

jayteereal, read this blog long enough and you too will become disgusted with this whole business.

The killing zones within these communities are that way because of complete dysfunction at every single level of govt and the people who live there.

Nothing is going to change as its a cancerous rot.

[Drew Weaver]

Unlike the 1920's in Mississippi, it is now actually safer for a "good" young black man (as many have described Samuel Leonard) to live amongst white people than amongst blacks! Sad but true. He never would have been shot coming out of a liquor store in Corona del Mar or South Pasadena. As one poster said, good car and good job spells trouble. The shooter's girlfriend probably asked "Why can't you be like Samuel -- you're always saying you can't find a job -- Samuel found one etc...." Successful young black men cramp the style of the thugs -- shows them up to be the phony losers that they are; and this infuriates these sub-humans.

[Slappy]

Animals.
End of story.

[D.L.Hitt]

The state has a standardized form to be used for the purpose of applying for a concealed weapons permit obtained from the sheriff dept. or city chief of police offices. Unfortunately, many fine law abiding individuals are denied the basic right to self protection. When the individual has been denied... the same entity that denied the applicant has in turn taken the responsibility of the personal protection therefore shifting the liabilities to the state or political subdivision(s) for the protection. When a damage occurs then the liable agency gets to pay the family or the damaged individual a monetary compensation. If the agency (lets say city) doesn't have enough money to pay the bill or judgement then often the city would hold a special election. The citizens would then vote for the fund raising plan to pay the victim.

It is truly a shame that an 18 year old is trusted in the military and not in the home town making sitting ducks out of the honest individual. The responsible is liable. Any deviation from the protections afforded by the Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution and may I suggest it is time to take back your rights and freedoms.

Vote out those phony socialists that ruin peoples lives. You know who they are:
Boxer, Leon, Fein, Pelosi, Corbett, DeLeon, and yes even Obama. They are out of control and not about your freedoms or your rights. don't trade your freedoms and rights away for the chicken feed you are receiving from them
ultra liberals.

Your life is worth more.

[corey]

Why??? Why??? can't people just walk the streets while minding their business without some stupid person giving them problems??? I mean now days you can't even GLANCE at a person without them wondering why you are looking at them. It's sad but I don't even look at people who pull up next to me when I am stopped at a red light.

[Rick]

What is more dangerous, Iraq or South Central Los Angeles. For this young man, South Central was. Your chances of getting shot/killed in either place is 50 50.