Bellflower : $5,000 Reward Offered in Shooting Death of Driver

After listening to an appeal for help from the family and friends of a man shot to death nearly two weeks ago on a Bellflower street, the City Council on Monday established a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the alleged gang member suspected in the killing.

“David was an innocent victim. It could have happened to anyone. For this reason, we are outraged,” said Al Williams, a longtime friend of 28-year-old David Nealon. The victim was a lifelong Bellflower resident who was killed early Oct. 19 after getting out of his pickup truck that was being pelted with rocks on a street near Bellflower High School. Williams spoke to the council on behalf of 60 Nealon friends and family members.

According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Adams, Nealon and his fiancee were driving home shortly after midnight when three youngsters began throwing rocks at the truck. Nealon “asked them why they were throwing rocks at the truck and two or three gunshots was the response. He was dead at the scene,” Adams said. Nealon’s fiancee, who remained in the truck, was unharmed.

Three boys--two 14-year-olds and a 12-year-old--were questioned by investigators, but Adams said there was insufficient evidence to identify the alleged murderer, who is believed to be one of the 14-year-olds. Witnesses to the shooting “know the three. It’s a matter of convincing them to tell the truth,” he said.

Lakewood Sheriff’s Station Capt. John Anderson told the council that “a reward might lead to actually pointing the finger on the person who committed the murder.”

Said Williams: “The violence will continue if gang members see that they will not be punished. The community must show that it cares enough about its citizens to make an example of these boys.”

“Something’s got to give,” said Councilman Randy Bomgaars, who likened gang members to “terrorists in our own back yard.”