Times coverage: Authorities investigating shooting death of attorney examine 2005 case

Jeffrey Tidus, a 53-year-old white man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the 4600 block of Sugarhill Drive in Rolling Hills Estates, authorities said. Coroner's officials said police have placed a security hold on the case, which bars them from giving out any additional information.

The following is an excerpt from Times coverage of the killing: Authorities investigating shooting death of attorney examine 2005 case

Detectives investigating the shooting death of Jeffrey Tidus, a prominent L.A. lawyer, are examining a 2005 case in which the attorney obtained a restraining order against a litigant who allegedly had threatened him, according to sheriff's deputies.

The case is one of several being looked at as detectives pore over Tidus' files seeking clues, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson said. 

He stressed that the investigation is in its early stages and there is no evidence that Tidus' work was tied to his slaying. 

Tidus was killed Monday night outside his home in Rolling Hills Estates.

Dolson said colleagues at Tidus' law firm had alerted investigators to the 2005 case this week. In that case, Tidus' client, Jon M. Gunderson, sued a Los Angeles tax attorney, Christopher Gruys. 

The suit claimed that Gruys had mishandled a tax transaction, costing Gunderson millions of dollars. Tidus eventually won an $11.2-million judgment.

During a pretrial deposition in the case on June 7, 2005, Gruys pulled out a camera and took a photograph of Tidus, then made what the attorney interpreted as a threat, according to sworn declarations that Tidus and a court reporter made in support of Tidus' request for a restraining order against Gruys.

-- Richard Winton

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Photo: Sheriff's deputies stand watch in front of Jeffrey Tidus' home following the shooting death of the attorney on Dec. 8. Credit: Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times

Long Beach: Loc Phan, 74

Loc Phan, a 74-year-old Asian man, was beaten and died Monday, Dec. 7, in the 700 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach, authorities said.

Long Beach police responded to a call about trouble at a business about 3:15 p.m. When they arrived at "Reliable Gold Exchange" they discovered Phan, who owned the cash-for-gold store, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

He had been severely beaten and had lacerations on his head and face, according to coroner's records and was pronounced dead at the scene at about 3:40 p.m.

Detectives are still investigating the motive, and have no suspect information to release.

Anyone who has information about this killing is asked to contact Long Beach Police Dets. Scott Lasch or Malcolm Evans at (562) 570-7244. 

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Loc Phan was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Long Beach: Jesus Nava, 23

Jesus Nava, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 12, at Orange Avenue and 11th Street in Long Beach, authorities said.

Long Beach Police responded to a shots-fired call about 11 p.m. and found Nava with a gunshot wound in the upper body, according to a police news release. Nava was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:31 p.m.

Police are calling the killing possibly gang-related.

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call Long Beach Police Dets. Patrick O'Dowd or Terri Hubert at (562) 570-7244.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Jesus Nava was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Compton: Sheridan Spencer, 70

Sheridan Spencer, a 70-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the 1600 block of West Caldwell Street in Compton, authorities said.

The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. in a residential neighborhood, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. Spencer was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

-- Robert J. Lopez

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Map: The location where Sheridan Spencer was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Athens: Ivon Sanchez, 23

Ivon Sanchez, a 23-year-old Latina, was shot and killed Sunday, Dec. 13, in the 1500 block of West 101st Street in Athens, authorities said.

Gunfire broke out about 11:30 p.m. at a party at the location. Sanchez was wounded and later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The suspect, Mauricio Farias, 38, fled in a white 2002 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with chrome rims and the California license plate 8M15256.

Deputies warn that Farias should be considered armed and dangerous, and urge anyone with information to call the homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-- Seema Mehta

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Photo: Mauricio Farias, who is wanted by authorities in connection with the shooting death of Ivon Sanchez, 23. Credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Palmdale: Alfonso Gonzalez, 36

Alfonso Gonzalez, a 36-year-old Latino, was found dead Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the 1700 block of Autumnmist Drive in Palmdale, authorities said.

According to coroner's records, Gonzalez's burned body was found with arms and legs bound in a closet at a residence. He was discovered by authorities after the residence was set on fire.

Though the coroner's initial report on the killing indicates Gonzalez may have been beaten before he was burned, detectives said they are still investigating what happened to him.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Alfonso Gonzalez was found dead. Credit: Google Maps

Boyle Heights: Luis Eduardo Perez, 15

Luis Eduardo Perez, a 15-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, Dec. 7, in the 2100 block of East Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights, authorities said.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Perez was standing near a bus stop when someone walked up to him and shot him several times.

The shooting happened about 7:30 a.m. and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead 10 minutes later. Police are calling the killing gang-related.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Luis Eduardo Perez was shot. Click for the Boyle Heights Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Pomona: Jessie Valdivia, 23

Jessie Valdivia, a 23-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Saturday, Dec. 5, in the 1000 block of West Third Street in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Valdivia was chased down the sidewalk by a gunman and shot several times. He was pronounced dead at 11:42 p.m. at the scene.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Jessie Valdivia was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Bellflower: Francisco Garcia, 42

Francisco Garcia, a 42-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Friday, Dec. 4, in the 10000 block of Maple Street in Bellflower, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Garcia was shot in front of a residence at 10:18 p.m. and taken to a hospital by his nephew, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He died at 10:46 p.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Francisco Garcia was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Compton: Kenneth Barnes, 38

Kenneth Barnes, a 38-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Dec. 3, in the 1300 block of South Long Beach Boulevard in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said deputies patrolling the area heard gunshots and went to investigate. Barnes had been driving a vehicle at the time of his shooting and when deputies arrived at the scene he had crashed into parked cars, Winter said.

The shooting happened about 8:25 p.m. and Barnes was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:50 p.m. 

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Kenneth Barnes was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Paramount: Steven Guzman, 21

Steven Guzman, a 21-year-old Latino, was shot Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the 16600 block of Eureka Avenue in Paramount, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials. He died the next day, about three hours later.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Guzman was shot at a residence about 10 p.m. and taken to a hospital, where he died shortly after 1 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Steven Guzman was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Pacoima: Ivan Chaidez, 19

Ivan Chaidez, a 19-year-old Latino, was shot Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Pinney Street and De Foe Avenue in Pacioma, authorities said.

Chaidez was shot in the early evening and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 8:36 a.m. the next day, according to coroner's records.

Detectives said several juveniles were involved in Chaidez's killing, and that at least one arrest had been made. Because the case involves minors, authorities did not identify the suspects.

Officials with the Los Angeles County district attorney's office could not find a record of charges being filed in the case.

Police said the killing is possibly gang-related. All of the suspects are involved in a gang, and police said Chaidez was a suspected gang member.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Ivan Chaidez was shot. Click for the Pacoima Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Dispatch: 'My son’s death was senseless and selfish'

Trayvon Jeffers left prison in the spring of 2007 determined to turn his life around. He'd been paroled after serving 4 1/2 years of a seven-year sentence.

He was just 21 when he pleaded no contest to two counts of assault with a firearm, one on a police officer. 

The prison stint capped off what, by his own admission, had already been a long history of gang banging.

Raised in Compton, Jeffers was involved in gangs by the time he was 12. As a juvenile, he had multiple encounters with the law. As an adult, he spent time in jail on narcotics and vehicular violations.

But prison was life-altering.

“Trayvon told me, ‘It was no joke, bro.’ In prison he had to play the race game. His decisions were not his decisions and he realized you couldn’t trust even your best friend," said Raul Diaz, who befriended him after Jeffers went to work at Homeboy Industries following his release. "It was clear he didn’t want to go back.”

At Homeboy Industries, a nonprofit organization that assists at-risk youth and former gang members, Jeffers found full-time employment. At first, Jeffers managed the front desk, greeting visitors and helping support numerous activities.

After a little more than a year, Jeffers was promoted to data collector, creating reports for financial contributors and monitoring client jobs, parole housing and new arrests.

Jeffers, who never earned a high school diploma or GED, was hesitant in the new role.

“Tray didn’t know if he could do it,” Diaz said, “but he was on it. I work with people who have bachelor's, master's, you name it, and Tray was one of the best. He relieved me from a lot of my stress. I never second-guessed him.”

San Pedro: Geissler Alfaro, 17

Geissler Alfaro, a 17-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22,  at 18th Street and Cabrillo Avenue in San Pedro, authorities said.

Alfaro was shot in the head about 11:30 a.m. Police responded to the shooting and set up a perimeter around the neighborhood to search for two males, authorities said.

Police later identified the two as brothers Albert Ortega, 21, and Joaquin Ortega, 19. They were arrested on Nov. 22, and Albert Ortega was charged with murder, according to the felony complaint filed by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. Joaquin Ortega was released on Nov. 24. Prosecutors have declined to file charges against the younger brother pending additional investigation.

Alfaro was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:07 p.m.

— Corina Knoll and Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Geissler Alfaro was shot. Click for the San Pedro Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

North Hills: Larry Duran Jr., 29

Larry Duran Jr., a 29-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Saturday, Nov. 28, in the 9200 block of Woodley Avenue in North Hills, authorities said.

Police allege Duran was confronted at his place of work about 1 p.m. by Julio Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Latino. Rodriguez reportedly argued with Duran while he was working in the 16100 block of Nordhoff Street in North Hills, then ordered  Duran to get into his car.

Rodriguez drove Duran to an alley, then shot him as he tried to escape, police said. Witnesses told detectives that the pair had been in a dispute because Duran was having an affair with Rodriguez's girlfriend.

Rodriguez allegedly shot Duran several times with a handgun, then drove away. Duran was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:36 p.m., according to coroner's records.

Rodriguez is still at large, and police are asking anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to call Dets. Floyd Walton or Ruben Arellano at (818) 832-0554. He was seen driving a gray 2010 Ford Focus.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Larry Duran was shot. Click for the North Hills Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Photo: Julio Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Latino, is accused of killing Larry Duran Jr., a 29-year-old Latino. Credit: LAPD

Cerritos: Remington Dunham, 19

Remington Dunham, a 19-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, Nov. 20, in the 11000 block of Gonsalves Place in Cerritos, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Dunham was attending a party when a fight broke out in the frontyard, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

Dunham was shot about 10:55 p.m. and taken to a hospital,  where he was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Remington Dunham was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Chase Hill, 49

Chase Hill, a 49-year-old black man, was shot and killed  Saturday, Nov. 21, in the 1100 block of 58th Drive in an area of unincorporated Los Angeles County called Florence-Graham, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Hill was sitting in the driveway of a residence when an unidentified suspect walked up and shot him once in the head, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

Hill was shot about 7:10 a.m. and was taken to a hospital where he died at 5:24 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Chase Hill was shot. Credit: Google Maps

South Pasadena: Noe Martinez-Quinone, 35

Noe Martinez-Quinone, a 35-year-old Latino, was shot several times and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1000 block of Arroyo Drive in South Pasadena, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Martinez-Quinone was found shot in the head in a parked vehicle, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:30 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Noe Martinez-Quinone was shot. Credit: Google Maps

West Covina: Billy Howell, 33

Billy Howell, a 33-year-old white man, was shot and killed  Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 100 block of South Cherrywood Street in West Covina, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Howell was at a party when he was shot in the head, neck and chest with a handgun, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at 2:50 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Billy Howell was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Pomona: Richard Gonzales, 25

Richard Gonzales, a 25-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 23, in the 2400 block of Angela Street in Pomona, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said police received a call about 7:35 p.m. that gunshots had been fired and they found Gonzales in an alley. He had been shot several times in the head and upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:42 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Richard Gonzales was shot. Credit: Google Maps

East Los Angeles: Joseph Jones, 35

Joseph Jones, a 35-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the 4200 block of Olympic Boulevard in East Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Jones was the victim of a walk-up shooting. He was approached by someone who shot him in the head and back about 4:27 p.m.

He was pronounced dead at the scene 10 minutes later, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Joseph Jones was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Unincorporated Los Angeles County: Dwain Charles, 47

Dwain Charles, a 47-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 25, in the 10400 block of South Normandie Avenue in unincorporated Los Angeles County, according to coroner's officials.

Charles was shot about 6:25 p.m. when he was confronted by someone on the sidewalk, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead about 6:55 p.m.

Winter said the suspect ran out of view of witnesses, then a car was heard leaving the area.

-- Anthony Pesce

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Map: The location where Dwain Charles was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Harbor Gateway: Alexander Russo, 19

Alexander Russo, a 19-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Monday, Nov. 30, in the 16000 block of Merit Avenue in Harbor Gateway, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Russo was shot at an unknown time, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital where he died at 1:07 a.m.

Additional details were not immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

Map: The location where Alexander Russo was shot. Click for the Harbor-Gateway Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Green Meadows: Ricardo Chavez, 25

Ricardo Chavez, a 25-year-old Latino, was shot and killed  Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 900 block of East 98th Street in Green Meadows, authorities said.

Chavez was attending his 25th birthday party when he got into an argument with a man who allegedly shot and killed him, Los Angeles police said. Chavez was shot about 2:30 a.m. and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 3:13 a.m., according to coroner's records.

Parrish Najarro, a 26-year-old black man who authorities said is a friend of Chavez’s girlfriend’s ex-husband, has been arrested and charged with Chavez's murder, according to the felony complaint filed by the district attorney's office.

-- Anthony Pesce and Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Ricardo Chavez was shot. Click for the Green Meadows Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Watts: Lavell Hudson, 24

Lavell Hudson, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1200 block of East 115th Street in Watts, authorities said.

Police received a report that shots had been fired about 4 a.m. and found Hudson on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head, authorities said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 a.m., according to coroner's records.

-- Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Lavell Hudson was shot. Click for the Watts Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Mid-Wilshire: Juan Segura, 18

Juan Segura, an 18-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 22, in the 1000 block of La Brea Avenue in Mid-Wilshire, authorities said.

Segura was shot and killed while sitting in a Toyota Corolla near the corner of La Brea Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, police said.

Authorities, who said they believed the killed was gang-related, said someone approached Segura and shot him in the chest. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

— Corina Knoll

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Map: The location where Juan Segura was shot. Click for the Mid-Wilshire Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Downtown: Shelia Zaldana, 46

Shelia Zaldana, a 46-year-old black woman, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 23, in the 500 block of San Julian Street in Downtown, authorities said. 

Los Angeles police detectives said the killing may have been the result of a dispute over narcotics and that the victim's 23-year-old son was the original target. (Police gave the victim's first name as Sheila but she was identified as Shelia by the coroner.)

Michelle Cato, 26, was arrested immediately after the shooting on San Julian Street near the LAPD Central Area police station.

LAPD Det. Paul Vernon said Cato and Zaldana lived in South Angeles and while on skid row got into a dispute that investigators believed involved drugs.

"Based on the suspect's criminal background, she was on parole for drug-related convictions, and not living on skid row, we suspect that narcotics was at the root of this dispute," Vernon said.

Moments before the shooting was reported at 3:40 p.m., Cato pointed a gun at Zaldana, "but the gun did not go off," Vernon said.

"As the suspect was walking away, she turned back and fired at the mother and the gun went off, the bullet striking her in the head," Vernon said.

Cato fled south on San Julian Street and then ran west on 6th Street, discarding the small-caliber handgun believed to be the murder weapon on the street, Vernon said.

As she neared the LAPD's Central Division station, with witnesses in pursuit, she ran into a police officer, who immediately detained her.

Vernon said the block where the shooting took place "has more cops and more cameras per square foot than any other block in the city."

--Andrew Blankstein

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Map: The location where Shelia Zaldana was shot. Click for the Downtown Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Norwalk: Daniel Motts, 48

Daniel Motts, a 48-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Monday, Nov. 16, in the 11200 block of Ferina Street in Norwalk, authorities said.

Motts was killed shortly before 6 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. 

No additional details were available.

Anyone with information is asked to call sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

--Robert J. Lopez

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Map: The location where Daniel Motts was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Long Beach: Comontray Lenoir, 24

Comontray Lenoir, a 24-year-old black man, was shot and killed Tuesday, Nov. 17, in the 2700 block of East 57th Street in Long Beach, authorities said.

Lenoir was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in the courtyard of an apartment complex after police received reports of a shooting at 5:30 p.m., police said. Police are investigating the slaying as a gang-related crime, the Long Beach Police Department said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dets. William Matsubara and Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244.

-- Robert J. Lopez

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Map: The location where Comontray Lenoir was shot. Credit: Google Maps

North Hollywood: Gombert Yepremyan, 19

Gombert Yepremyan, a 19-year-old man identified by coroner's officials as Armenian, was shot and killed Wednesday, Nov. 18, in the 6400 block of North Laurel Canyon Boulevard near Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood, authorities said.

Yepremyan was shot in the neck by an acquaintance just before 9 p.m. in the parking lot of a Sears store, authorities said.

Yepremyan was taken to a hospital where he later died, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Police determined that earlier that evening Yepremyan had been involved in a dispute with another man that took place via telephone, Eisenman said.

“Both parties agreed to meet to settle whatever their differences were,” Eisenman said.

They met in the parking lot, where the altercation occurred. The suspect pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and shot the victim, Eisenman said.

The suspect fled in a black four-door BMW 3-Series sedan with no plates, Eisenman said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (877) 527-3247.

-- My-Thuan Tran

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Map: The location where Gombert Yepremyan was shot. Click for the North Hollywood Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.