Gang Member Sought in Shooting Death

Homicide investigators Thursday identified a member of a street gang as a suspect in the shooting death of a Canoga Park man who had returned to his old neighborhood to attend a family party, authorities said Thursday.

Kevin Germaine Hill, 21, of Pacoima is being sought by police in the June 12 shooting of Wesley Williams, 23, who was found in a pool of blood about 11 p.m. in the 11560 block of Wheeler Street in Lake View Terrace, said Detective Frank Bishop of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities obtained a murder warrant for Hill’s arrest on Thursday, Bishop said.

The shooting took place at a party held down the street from the house of Williams’ relatives, Bishop said. Williams went to the second party because he knew the hosts, Bishop said.

“He came back for a family party and thought he’d go down and check out the (other) party,” Bishop said. “He had been out of the area for 10 years, living Downtown (Los Angeles) and in Canoga Park.”

As the party progressed, fights broke out in the back yard of the house and Williams, trying to avoid the trouble, walked around the side of the house intending to leave the party, Bishop said.

At that time, investigators believe, Williams accidentally bumped into Hill and the two men exchanged words, Bishop said.

Hill then followed Williams into the front yard and began shooting, firing at him numerous times, Bishop said. Williams was taken to Pacifica Industrial Medical Center in Sun Valley, where he died.

Bishop said the two men knew each other before the shooting.

“He knew the suspect, knew him by name,” Bishop said.

Hill is described as a black male who stands 5 foot 9 and weighs 145 pounds, Bishop said. Police are asking anyone with information about the suspect to contact Detectives Rick Plows or Keith Honore at (818) 834-3113.