Police Investigating 2 Possible Suspects in Irvine Slaying

Irvine police said Monday they have identified two possible suspects in the fatal shooting last week of a businessman in the driveway outside his home and have recovered the luxury car believed used by the gunmen.

Police offered few details of the investigation into the slaying of Gregory Hebdon, 30, but said they are focusing on a former temporary employee at the victim’s business, Servpro, and another man, Irvine Police Lt. Sam Allevato said.

“We do have a couple subjects we are looking at,” Allevato said. “We want to give our witnesses a chance to identify them before we release their names and their photos appear in the press.”

Police may hold a news conference today to release the names of the suspects, Allevato said. It is Irvine’s first homicide case this year.

In another development, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies found what is believed to be the assailants’ getaway car, a silver 1995 Lexus, in Carson late Friday, Allevato said.

Allevato said further investigation “has determined that this was the car used by the suspects responsible for the homicide,” but he would not elaborate.

Two men gunned down Hebdon in the driveway outside his Irvine townhouse, then fled in what witnesses described as a cream-colored Lexus.

Police have yet to offer a motive for the shooting.

Employees at Servpro, which restores homes and businesses damaged by fire and water, said they were stunned when they learned from police that a former worker was being investigated in connection with the shooting.

“I was shocked when I heard who it was,” business manager Mike Macy said. “He had a good work ethic. I can’t believe it.”

Macy, who said he was instructed by police not to divulge the former employee’s name, said the man worked for one week at Servpro earlier this year. He was one of four temporary employees the small business hired to help out during the floods in January.

Macy said the former employee demonstrated a “strong work ethic” and even returned to the business after his stint to say hello. Macy said he never saw him or Hebdon exchange harsh words.

“He had a very responsible attitude,” Macy said. “I put a lot of trust in him. I never doubted him.”

Meanwhile, Hebdon’s family has also scheduled a news conference today to talk about the slain father of two children. The victim’s widow, Lillian Hebdon, and his father, Ron Hebdon, are expected to discuss the case.

Funeral arrangements for Hebdon are pending. The couple’s 7-year-old son, Dustin, is scheduled to undergo major surgery Wednesday, according to family friends. He was born with a hole in his heart that has already required two operations, friends said.