Manchester Square: Christian Dixon, 5

Christian Dixon, a 5-year-old black child, was shot and killed by his mother on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the 7200 block of South Gramercy Place in Manchester Square, authorities said.

The Times' Tami Abdollah has the full story: South L.A. woman allegedly shoots 2 sons

 The following is an excerpt:

A young mother who allegedly shot her two boys Saturday -- killing her 5-year-old and critically wounding her 1 1/2 -year-old -- shouted, "I've wasted my life!" from her balcony and threatened to kill herself before she was arrested, police and neighbors said.

LaTonya Dixon, 25, called 911 about 8:30 a.m. Saturday and told the dispatcher that she had killed her children. When officers arrived at the three-unit apartment complex in the 7200 block of South Gramercy Place in South Los Angeles, the woman was standing on a second-floor balcony waving a handgun.

After hearing a woman scream, next-door neighbor Sandra Jones said, she saw Dixon on the balcony rail and yelled out, "No, don't jump! You have [the elder son] and the baby to think about! They're going to need you."

As officers arrived at the beige stucco apartment, Dixon told police to shoot her. She was walking in and out of her apartment with a handgun, police said. Officers ordered her numerous times to drop the gun, but she refused, police said.

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Photo: Ben Dixon, brother of the woman who allegedly shot her two children, speaks with police near the apartment where the shooting took place. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Florence: Reginald Hendrix Jr., 28

Reginald Hendrix Jr., a 28-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Oct. 8, in the 100 block of West 74th Street in Florence, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Hendrix was shot about 9:21 a.m. and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 9:40 a.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Reginald Hendrix Jr. was shot. Click for the Florence Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Times coverage: Lazhanae Harris, 13 and on the run, was stabbed to death in L.A.

Lazhanae Harris, a black 13-year-old girl, was found stabbed to death in a rundown apartment in the 100 block of East 97th Street in Historic South Central Los Angeles on Saturday, March 7, 2009.  Preshae Bryan Tanner, a 22-year-old black woman, was charged in the murder and has pleaded not guilty. Tanner was romantically involved with a man who was staying at the apartment, police said.

The Times' Kim Christensen and Garrett Therolf have details today of Lazhanae's short life in a story about the deaths of at least 268 children between January 2008 and early August 2009 who, at some point, had come under the protection of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Seventy-six of those deaths were determined to be homicides, according to internal county documents:

The loving attention that eluded Lazhanae Harris in life flooded the New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at her funeral in March.

Family and friends, mostly youngsters, packed the South Los Angeles sanctuary that day and "all seemingly admired this girl," recalled congregation clerk Myrna Smith.

"It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. They were all 12-, 13-, 14-year-old kids. And they were all crying."

Days before, Lazhanae, 13, had been found in a rundown apartment in South Los Angeles, face down on a bloody mattress. Her femoral artery had been slashed.

Shunted from place to place for most of her life, she was left with no guardian but the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The agency took her from her mother's custody at age 3, placing her in a series of homes that didn't last.

Read more about Lazhanae's life: Lazhanae Harris, 13 and on the run, was stabbed to death in L.A.

Read the comments left on her original Homicide Report post

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Vermont Vista: David Colone, 32

David Colone, a 32-year-old black man, died Wednesday, Sept. 21, after he was shot in 10000 block of South Figueroa Street in Vermont Vista, authorities said.

LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera said Colone had just gotten food from Tams, a burger stand, and was eating in his car in the parking lot when he was shot.

Witnesses told detectives they may have seen a black man running from the scene, but LaBarbera said they are still looking for more witnesses to provide additional information.

LaBarbera said the killing could be gang-related because of the circumstances of the shooting and the area it occurred in. He added that Colone was a gang member when he was younger, but was not an active gang member at the time of his killing.

Colone was shot about 11:30 p.m. and died just before midnight at a hospital, LaBarbera said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where David Colone was shot. Click for the Vermont Vista Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Exposition Park: Errol McIntyre, 46

Errol McIntyre, a 46-year-old black man, died on Thursday, Sept. 24, after he was shot at West 37th Place and Catalina Street in Exposition Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

McIntyre was found shot in the neck in his black Infinity SUV. Police found the vehicle just before 10 p.m. in the 1200 block of West 37th Place in South Los Angeles.

Anyone with information is asked to call Criminal Gang Homicide Group Dets. Jim Yoshida and Mike Applegate at (213) 485-1383. Callers can also use a 24-hour number: (877) 527-3247 or go to the LAPD website and click on web tips.

-- Maeve Reston

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Errol McIntyre was shot. Click for the Exposition Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Gramercy Park: Darren Way, 21

Darren Way, a 21-year-old black man, died on Sunday, Sept 20, after he was shot in the 10000 block of South Hobart Avenue in Gramercy Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Way, of Palmdale, was walking with his girlfriend when a car pulled up next to them and someone asked him: "Where are you from?" said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. The assailant then shot Way several times. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:01 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Darren Way was shot. Click for the Gramercy Park Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Adams-Normandie: Andrew Faucette, 51

Andrew Faucette Jr., a 51-year-old black man, died on Monday, Sept. 14, after he was shot several times in the 3100 block of South Normandie Avenue in Adams-Normandie, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Faucette was the victim of a drive-by shooting, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. The shooting happened at about 11:48 p.m. and Faucette was pronounced dead at the scene, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Andrew Faucette was shot. Click for the Adams-Normandie Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Harbor Gateway: Rosamaria Rees, 47

Rosamaria Rees, a 47-year-old Latina, died on Friday, Sept. 18, after she was shot in the 13500 block of South Ainsworth Street in Harbor Gateway, authorities said.

Rees was walking to her car on Ainsworth Street near West 135th Street about 9:05 p.m. “when an unknown suspect or suspects approached on foot and shot her,” said police spokesman Gregory Baek.

“The victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” Baek said. “The motive remains unknown and the suspects are still outstanding.”

In an interview, Rees’ husband, Allan Rees, 50, said the couple had worked together at his company, Allan Rees & Associates, which provides health services to disabled clients. Rosa Rees, he said, “worked with my nine Spanish-speaking clients.”

“Police told me there were no witnesses and that they have no leads at this time,” he added. “All we know is that a few people heard gunshots.”

-- Louis Sahagun

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

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

Historic South-Central: Ivan Garcia, 18

Ivan Garcia, a 18-year-old Latino, died on Friday, Sept. 11, days after he was shot in the head in the 1200 block of 22nd Street in Historic South-Central, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Garcia was shot on Sept. 8 at about 4:12 p.m. and died three days later in a hospital, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Ivan Garcia was shot. Click for the Historic South-Central Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Lincoln Heights: Steve Bueno, 20

Steve Bueno, a 20-year-old Latino, died Sept. 11 after he was shot in the head two days earlier in the 2000 block of Parkside Drive in Lincoln Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Bueno, of Los Angeles, was shot Sept. 9 at about 3 p.m. and died in a hospital at 3:45 p.m. two days later, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow the Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Steve Bueno was shot. Click for the Lincoln Heights Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Florence: Lawrence Crosby, 50

Lawrence Crosby, a 50-year-old black man, died Monday, Sept. 7, of an unknown cause, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

He was found dead in the back of an alley in the 5900 block of South Mettler Ave. in Florence at 11:42 a.m. An initial coroner's investigation showed no obvious trauma, and Crosby's cause of death has been deferred pending additional tests, coroner's officials said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Lawrence Crosby was found dead. Click for Florence's Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Harvard Park: Kadeemi Rashad Forman, 19

Kadeemi Rashad Forman, a 19-year-old black man, died Thursday, Sept. 10, after being shot several times in the 1700 block of West 69th Street in Harvard Park, authorities said.

According to a Los Angeles Police Department news release, Forman was shot about 9:05 p.m. as he was walking with a group of friends. Three black men drove by the group, and one  fired several shots from the car, hitting Forman, according to the release.

Forman died a short time later at the hospital.

Police ask anyone with information about this killing to call LAPD homicide Dets. Guzman or Mendoza at 323-485-1383.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow the Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: Location of Kadeemi Rashad Forman's shooting. Click for Harvard Park's Mapping L.A. page to learn more about the demographics of the neighborhood.

Compton: Marcelino Pettway, 25

Marcelino Pettway, a 25-year-old black man, died Tuesday, Sept. 1 after he was shot three times at Long Beach Boulevard and Marcelle Street in Compton, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Pettway, of Compton, was talking to someone sitting in a car when the the person got out of the vehicle and shot him several times, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

The shooting happened at about 10:37 p.m. and Pettway was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 11:31 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Follow The Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location where Marcelino Pettway was shot. Credit: Google Maps

Harvard Park: Keith Moore, 20

Keith Moore, a 20-year-old black man, died Saturday, Sept. 5 after he was shot several times in the 1500 block of West 55th Street in Harvard Park, officials said.

Moore was riding his bicycle when he was confronted by a man on foot who shot him multiple times, said Officer Sara Faden of the Los Angeles Police Department. Moore was left on the street and was later pronounced dead.

The shooter fled the scene and remains at large, Faden said.

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz

Follow the Homicide Report on Twitter @latimeshomicide.

Map: The location of Keith Moore's shooting. Click for Harvard Park's Mapping L.A. page, which compiles demographic information about the neighborhood.

Watts: Efrain Olmos, 39

Efrain Olmos, a 39-year-old Latino, was shot several times died on Monday, Aug. 24, in the 9500 block of Bandera Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said police found Olmos dead in the driver's seat of his car with the engine running. He was pronounced dead when he was found at the scene at 12:43 a.m.

-- Anthony Pesce

Broadway-Manchester: Drayvon James, 29

Drayvon James, a 29-year-old black man, was shot in the head and died on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Main Street and 101st Street in Broadway-Manchester, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

James was one of two people shot and killed, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:40 p.m., Winter said.

Robert Nelson, a 16-year-old black youth, was the other victim in the killing. Nelson was taken to a hospital where he died at 8:53 p.m. that night.

No other information was immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

 

Update, Sept. 18: A gang feuds fallout: A 'trivial' dispute between two former allies turns deadly, threatening an area's turnaround

Broadway-Manchester: Robert Nelson, 16

Robert Nelson, a 16-year-old black youth, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, after being shot at Main Street and 101st Street in Broadway-Manchester, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Nelson was one of two people shot about 8:40 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:53 p.m.

The other victim in the killing was Drayvon James, a 29-year-old black man. He was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, Winter said.

No other information was immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

 

Update, Sept. 18: A gang feuds fallout: A 'trivial' dispute between two former allies turns deadly, threatening an area's turnaround

Broadway-Manchester: Ronnie Knighten Jr., 22

Ronnie Knighten Jr., a 22-year-old black man, died Aug. 27 after being shot several times at Main Street and 95th Street in Broadway-Manchester, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Knighten was shot Aug. 26 at 11 p.m. and died at a hospital early the next morning at 3:57 a.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

No other information about the shooting was immediately available.

-- Anthony Pesce

Adams-Normandie: Xiomara Fajardo de Lopez, 36

Xiomara Fajardo de Lopez, a 36-year-old Latina, died Aug. 28 in a shooting in the 2900 block of Kenwood Avenue in Adams-Normandie, authorities said.

Authorities are looking for her husband,Carlos Anibal Lopez, also 36, Los Angeles police said Saturday.

Police say Lopez got into an argument with her husband shortly before noon, he then picked up a handgun and fired several rounds, striking his wife.

The couple's three children were present during the incident, and their 11-year-old son was shot, police say.

The boy was reportedly in stable condition at a hospital. His mother died at the scene, according to Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics.

Police say Carlos Anibal Lopez left in a white Toyota Corolla. The car and a handgun were found a short time later.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Det. Dave Garrido at (213) 485-1383, or a toll-free, 24-hour hot line, (877) LAPD-24-7.

-- Jean Merl

Hyde Park: Brandon Jamal Perry, 17

Brandon Jamal Perry, a 17-year-old black youth, was shot in the 6400 block of South 7th Avenue in Hyde Park and died on Saturday, Aug. 22, according to an LAPD news release.

Perry, of Los Angeles, was standing with a group of people on the street in front of a residence, police said. About 11:45 p.m., someone got out of a car at the corner of South 7th Avenue and 64th Street and opened fire on the group, police said.

Four people were injured in the shooting; Perry and two others were taken to the hospital, while the fourth was treated at the scene. The two other people treated at the hospital are expected to survive, police said.

Perry was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police said they have no suspect or motive in the killing.

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call LAPD 77th Division Dets. C. Braudrick and Bill Ritch at 213-485-1383.

-- Anthony Pesce

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

Florence: Thaddeus Risher, 49

Thaddeus Risher, a 49-year-old black man, was shot several times in the 100 block of East 82nd Place in Florenceand died on Tuesday, Aug. 18, according to Los Angeles police.

Risher was sitting in his parked car at 2:05 a.m. when three people walked up. At least one person shot him several times, witnesses told police. Risher was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later, police said.

Detectives have no motive in the killing, though they said they think it could be gang-related.

Anyone with information about this killing is asked to call LAPD 77th Division Dets. Armando Bernal or Ernesto Mendoza at 213-485-1383

-- Anthony Pesce

West Adams: Larick Matheson, 58

Larick Matheson, a 58-year-old black man, was shot and killed on Saturday, Aug. 22, in the 2900 block of Rimpau Boulevard in West Adams, according to Los Angeles police.

Matheson had gone to the home to pick up a car key when he was attacked, police said. Authorities said the shooter was apparently standing in the home's driveway when Matheson arrived in a car, accompanied by a friend.

When Matheson got out of the car, the shooter approached him and shot him multiple times before running away, said LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman.

Matheson was taken to a hospital, where he died.

-- Ari B. Bloomekatz

Compton: Kevin Sipert, 17

Kevin Sipert, a 17-year-old black youth, was shot in the abdomen at Essey Avenue and Laurel Street in Compton on Wednesday, Aug.19, and died the following day, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Sipert, of Compton, was shot shortly before 10 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to a hospital where died at 9:10 a.m. the next day, Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Florence: Christopher Lattier, 21

Christopher Lattier, a 21-year-old black man, was shot in the neck and left arm and died Sunday, Aug. 16. He was shot in the 100 block of East 84th Place in Florence, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Lattier was standing in a yard when a van pulled up. People got out and yelled gang-related slurs, then opened fire. He was shot about 8:24 p.m. and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:48 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Chesterfield Square: Juan Johnson, 42

Juan Johnson, a 42-year-old black man, was shot several times and died Sunday, Aug. 16. He was shot at the intersection of 60th Street and St. Andrews Place in Chesterfield Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said the shooting occurred at a gathering of car club members at 9:50 p.m. Johnson was taken to a hospital, where he died at 10:37 p.m., Winter said.

-- Anthony Pesce

Green Meadows: Terry Johnson, 54 [Updated]

Terry Johnson, a 54-year-old black man, was shot several times and died Monday, Aug. 17. He was shot in the 11900 block of South Central Avenue in Green Meadows, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office, said Johnson was parked and sitting in the driver's seat of his car at 1:40 a.m. when someone came up and shot him. He was taken to a hospital, where he died at 2:21 a.m., Winter said.

[Updated at 2:35 p.m. Sept. 10: LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera said there has been no progress on the case.

LaBarbera said Johnson was sitting in his car with a friend when a lone gunman walked up to them and fired several shots. Johnson's friend was not injured in the incident. They were parked across the street from a motorcycle club at the time of the shooting.

LaBarbera said he does not have a description of the suspect, or a motive for the shooting. No witnesses have come forward. He said the way the shooting took place made him think the gunman was likely affiliated with a gang but he said there was no indication that Johnson was a gang member.

Anyone with information about this killing should call LAPD homicide detectives at (213) 485-4341.]

-- Anthony Pesce

South Park: Mauricio Jimenez, 22

Mauricio Jimenez, a 22-year-old Latino, was shot several times in his chest, abdomen and extremities and died Aug. 15. Jimenez was shot in the 400 block of East 52nd Street in South Park, officials said.

Los Angeles Police Department Officer Rosario Herrera said Jimenez was a gang member who was standing in an alley about 3:55 a.m. with a female acquaintance when two men, also believed to be gang members, approached and started firing.

The victim suffered wounds to his upper and lower torso and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

-- Christopher Goffard

Broadway-Manchester: Daquawn Allen, 13

Daquawn Allen, a 13-year-old black youth, was shot twice in the chest and died Sunday, Aug. 16. Allen was shot shortly after noon at  88th Place and Broadway in Broadway-Manchester, authorities said.

Daquawn, whom police identified as a gang member, was taken to a hospital where he died, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

-- Bettina Boxall

 

Update, Sept. 18: A gang feuds fallout: A 'trivial' dispute between two former allies turns deadly, threatening an area's turnaround

Vermont Knolls: Cesar Garcia, 20

Cesar Garcia, a 20-year-old Latino, was shot in the head and died Monday, Aug. 10 in the 600 block of West 81st Street in Vermont Knolls, according to Los Angeles County coroner's officials.

Garcia was riding his bike when the incident occurred, said Officer Gregory Vaek of the Los Angeles Police Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspected attacker was seen with a gun fleeing into an alley behind 81st Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call (877) LAPD 24-7.

-- Robert J. Lopez