NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Business Owner Is Shot to Death

A 57-year-old Pacoima man was shot to death Friday inside his North Hollywood metal-polishing business, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Burnett Washington was discovered dead about 10:55 a.m. inside Washington Metal Polishing at 5415 Cleon Ave., Detective Mike Coffey said. Washington died from at least one gunshot wound to his upper torso.

The motive for the shooting was unknown, but it did not appear to be robbery-related, Coffey said. Up to two suspects were seen fleeing the business in a white Toyota van, south on Cleon toward Chandler Boulevard.

News of the fatal shooting surprised employees of nearby businesses, one of whom said Washington had owned the shop on Cleon for more than 20 years.

“It came as an absolute shock,” said an employee of a nearby business, who asked not to be identified. “He was a very warm-hearted and wonderful man.”