Man, 39, Found Shot Dead at Popular Restaurant-Bar

A 39-year-old man was found shot to death in the parking lot of a local restaurant in a neighborhood authorities described as a quiet residential area.

Ross John Carver, whose address is listed as Ventura, was found around 7:15 p.m. Tuesday between two cars in the parking lot of Schoonerville, a popular neighborhood restaurant and bar in the 8900 block of De Soto Avenue, Los Angeles Police Detective Tom Broad said.

“He was shot once in the back, and we believe he was sitting on the driver’s side of a Buick station wagon when he was shot,” Broad said. He would not elaborate on the details of the investigation. Carver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to witnesses who attempted to revive him.

Police are still trying to establish a current address for Carver because information taken from his driver’s license doesn’t appear to be current, Broad said.

“We’re not exactly sure where he was living, and he doesn’t appear to be connected to any place there (Ventura),” Broad said. “We’re not sure where he belongs or why he was here.”

Jamie McArthur, a neighborhood resident who describes himself as a regular bar patron, said while at home nearby, he heard six shots fired.

When he arrived, “there was a black gentleman trying to keep him alive, you know, keep him with it,” McArthur said. “We were trying to keep him with it, but it just didn’t happen.”

Broad said there were several people seen running from the scene, but it is unclear whether they are possible suspects or residents who fled when they heard gunfire.

The shooting was the fifth homicide in the Devonshire Division this year, Broad said.