Businessman, Shot by Robbers, Dies Clutching His Rolex Watch

The owner of a Los Angeles area nursery was shot and killed Friday after refusing to turn over his expensive Rolex watch to two would-be robbers.

Donald McKinsey, 52, had his $10,000 Rolex still clenched in his fist as he staggered to the steps of his office, where startled employees called police. Before collapsing, he called out the names of his three children.

The shooting death of the businessman was the latest in a rash of Rolex robberies nationwide. Although no national statistics exist on the number of such robberies, about 50 have occurred in West Los Angeles alone between September and July.

One man was recently murdered for his watch in Beverly Hills and as many as eight other victims have been injured in the Los Angeles area.

McKinsey had resisted handing over his Rolex and one of the suspects fired a shot into his chest, said Los Angeles Police Detective Dan Andrews.

After the shooting, Ken Steller, office manager at McKinsey Nursery, said he called 911 and with the help of another employee, Henry Thorton, administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation. “We got him breathing for a short period of time,” Steller said.

McKinsey was taken to Brotman Medical Center in Culver City, where he died Friday afternoon, Andrews said. The suspects fled on foot after the shooting and have not been apprehended, he said.

Police said the two male suspects, driving a late-model yellow Lincoln Continental Town Car, had come to the nursery at 2800 S. Genesee Ave. the day before to inquire about renting plants for a wedding, Andrews said.

When they returned at about 2:30 p.m. Friday, McKinsey escorted them around the Wilshire District property to look at the plants. One of the men then demanded the Rolex, Steller said. “It was premeditated, set up.”

After the shooting, Steller said, “McKinsey shouted, ‘Henry, get him!’ ” Then, hunched over, he staggered for about 20 feet to the steps of the nursery’s office with the Rolex clenched in his fist, Steller said.

“He called the names of his children: ‘R.P.M. (a nickname for Ryan Patrick), Johnny and Christina,’ gurgled something and went comatose.”

McKinsey lived in Palm Springs and commuted at least weekly to his home. He leaves a wife, Alma, and his three children, who range in age from 1 1/2 to 9.

McKinsey had operated his business for 17 years, Steller said. “Everyone in the neighborhood loved him and he loved them.”

He was aware of other recent Rolex robberies, but the tall, muscular McKinsey chose to wear his anyway. “It was one of his signatures,” Steller said. “He had a lot of class, a lot of clout.”

McKinsey was a well-known member of the Los Angeles business community who rented plants and shrubs to the movie industry as well as to the city for a variety of functions, Andrews said.

Councilman Nate Holden of the 10th District announced Saturday he would make a motion to the City Council to offer a $25,000 reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects.