Joe Beck, 17

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Joe Beck, a 17-year-old black youth, was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in the 1200 block of 104th Street in Watts at about 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. According to police, Beck was hiding behind a pole in a back alley when he jumped out and demanded money from a man who was backing his car out of the garage. The driver drew a handgun and shot Beck, who was transported to St. Francis hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m. Homicide detectives with LAPD’s Southeast Division are investigating the shooting and whether Beck is tied to a string of other robberies in the area.