Police Seeking Gunman in Four Drive-by Shootings

Los Angeles police said Friday night that they are searching for a white man with red hair who may be responsible for the drive-by killings of three African-American men and the wounding of a fourth man within a three-block area of Harbor City.

Police said the suspect is believed to be 25 to 35 years old. They said he may have been driving a Jeep, possibly red.

The killings occurred in January, February and April. The fourth victim was shot last Saturday night.

“There have been no robbery attempts,” Lt. Sergio Robledo said. “He just approaches black males standing on a street corner in a dimly lit residential area with few people around, beckons to them as though he wants to speak to them and then shoots them.”

The shooting last Saturday was in front of 1100 W. 253rd St. Police are withholding the name of the 38-year-old victim for his safety.

The four shootings occurred in an area bounded by Vermont and Normandie avenues and Pacific Coast Highway and Lomita Boulevard, Robledo said. Except for one killing at 4:45 a.m., they occurred between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Shot to death were: Howard L. Campbell, 32, who died Jan. 31 as he stood in front of 1087 W. 252 St.; Michael Kevin Meador, 35, who died Feb. 14, as he stood in front of the same address, and Joseph Alexander Maxwell, 26, who died April 15 as he stood in front of 1039 W. 254 St.

Robledo said detectives have found no significant relationship among the victims nor a motive.

“We honestly haven’t determined if the motive is racial, sexual, narcotics or what,” he said. “Our chief concern is to notify any adult male in that area of any color about this guy running around killing people.

“And we’re seeking information from anyone who may have seen the suspect or any of the shootings,” he said. “We believe there are people who saw the shootings even from a distance and haven’t yet come forward.”

A special 24-hour telephone number has been set up for any information on the case: (213) 237-1776.