Shots Kill Man at Funeral for Boy Slain in Jail : Violence: Police say the motive is unclear. One witness says the mourner’s killing is unrelated to the 16-year-old’s death from an apparent chokehold at juvenile hall.

The funeral of a 16-year-old juvenile court ward who had died in custody of an apparent illegal chokehold erupted in more violence Monday, when one of the mourners was shot to death just as the service was ending, officials said.

Radio and television reporters, who had gathered outside the New Life Christian Church in South-Central Los Angeles to cover the funeral of Anthony Dion Bowie, ran for cover when the crackle of gunfire burst out at 3:01 p.m.

Police said the gunman approached an 18-year-old man outside the church and opened fire as the half-hour-long funeral was ending. Los Angeles Police Detective Dick Simmons said the victim died within minutes.

The victim’s name was withheld pending notification of his family. Police said the motive was unclear.

However, one witness at the scene said the shooting was gang-related and may have had nothing to do with Bowie’s death.

Bowie was found dead Dec. 15 in his cell at Las Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey after a struggle with two staff members who were trying to restrain him.

Juvenile authorities have refused to comment on his death, except to say it is under investigation by Downey police and the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

But police and county sources have said Bowie had gotten into a scuffle with other inmates as he was being led to a recreation area, and was last seen being dragged into his cell by two juvenile hall workers, who were trying to break up the fight.

Bowie, a gang member, had been at Las Padrinos since October, and was in custody for allegedly assaulting a staff member at a group home for troubled teen-agers, authorities said.

Los Padrinos, one of the county’s three juvenile halls, is for minors awaiting court hearings or transfer to juvenile detention camps and facilities operated by the California Youth Authority.