LAPD chief asks for public’s help in 7-year-old’s ‘horrific’ death

Los Angeles police Chief Charlie Beck asked Thursday for the public’s help in finding those responsible for the shooting death of a 7-year-old boy, which he called a “horrific crime.”

Beck said detectives have been “working around the clock” since Taalib Pecantte was shot shortly before 9 p.m. Monday. Taalib was sitting in a car in the 1900 block of South Corning Street with his mother and her boyfriend when four men in a white car drove up and opened fire, the LAPD said.

The boy’s mother was grazed in the leg; her boyfriend hit in the back. Taalib died shortly before 5:20 p.m. Tuesday at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, coroner’s officials said.

INTERACTIVE: Times Homicide Report

The suspects -- described as black men wearing black, hooded sweatshirts -- fled in their vehicle, police said. No arrests have been made.

On Thursday, Beck urged witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to contact police.

“We need your help,” he said. “Please, please do not allow this crime to go unpunished.”

Beck declined to discuss the specifics of the ongoing investigation, but said detectives are “looking at all the reasons for the shooting.” LAPD Det. John Skaggs previously said the crime fit “the similarities of gang activity.”

The Los Angeles City Council was expected to hear a motion Friday offering $50,000 for information leading to the identity, arrest and prosecution for those responsible for Taalib’s death, police said.

On Wednesday night, investigators canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses, while Taalib’s teammates, family and friends gathered at Gonzales Park to mourn.

Taalib’s father, Rich, had signed the second-grader up for a youth football league to keep him out of trouble.

“He always talked about how he wanted his son in a better situation,” said head coach Damon Fields, 41.

Taalib’s father, who is also a coach, told the crowd that even though his son was gone, he’d continue to volunteer. He said he’s “torn up” but issued a call for change.

He also spoke directly to his son’s killers: “Look who you affected ... these babies.”

Rapper The Game said he’s raised $17,000 for Taalib’s family and called for a gang violence cease-fire over the holidays. The Compton rapper has donated to other Southern California families affected by violence, including a $10,000 contribution toward the funeral of 6-year-old Tiana Ricks, who was killed in Moreno Valley in September.

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kate.mather@latimes.com

nicole.santacruz@latimes.com