Man gravely injured in Bellflower assault

A 52-year-old man remained in extremely critical condition Sunday after he hit his head on the pavement during an assault in Bellflower, authorities said.

Homicide detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of an incident at Cedar Street just west of Coke Avenue shortly before midnight on Thursday. They concluded that the man had fallen to the ground during an altercation with an unknown person.

The victim was transported to a local hospital. Investigators said death was “imminent” for the man, whose name has not been released.

Detectives encouraged residents with information about the incident to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

-- David Zahniser