Arguing Liquor Store Workers Kill Each Other

Two Willowbrook liquor store employees fatally shot each other in front of frightened customers during a heated argument over a package of frozen fish, Sheriff’s Department officials said Thursday.

The feuding men, both Compton residents and employees at Dee’s Liquor, drew handguns from under a cashier counter and opened fire on each other Wednesday night about 7:20 p.m., Sgt. Tom Spencer said. Several shots were fired, but no one else was injured.

Larry Williams, 32, died at the store in the 12000 block of Wilmington Avenue, according to sheriff’s officials. Richard Smith, 49, was pronounced dead about 8:25 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center.

The two employees, who worked together regularly, “were arguing about the ownership of a package of frozen fish,” Spencer said. “As tempers flared, each went for firearms kept beneath the cashier’s counter.”

Some customers milling in the store saw the argument brewing and began to flee before shots were fired, Lt. Gil Leslie said.

The store’s owner, who did not give his name, said he hired both men and they worked the same shift for “a while.” The owner said he was not at the store at the time of the shooting and declined further comment.

Detectives interviewed several witnesses Thursday, but sheriff’s officials said a criminal investigation is unlikely. “There’s nothing we can do,” Leslie said. “Both combatants are dead.”