Compton Boy, 11, Is Killed in Gang Gunfire

An 11-year-old boy who was waiting for his mother at a Compton transit station was killed Monday when he was caught in a gang shooting, the second 11-year-old in the city to die from gang gunfire in two weeks, police said.

Selwyn Leflore was taken to Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center, where he died, authorities said.

In response to the shooting, the Compton City Council held an emergency session Monday night and at the request of Mayor Omar Bradley approved two $25,000 rewards for information on Monday’s slaying and on the fatal drive-by shooting last month.

On Sept. 23, an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed as he stood with three other youths near a Compton apartment complex.

The council also approved a motion by Bradley to ask the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for help in solving the homicides.

But the reward might be unnecessary in Leflore’s slaying because police announced Monday night that they had arrested five suspects, one of whom they believe is the gunman.

Authorities also found in a Compton residence a handgun that they believe is the murder weapon.

Leflore was waiting for his mother after school about 3 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Transit Center on Willowbrook Avenue, said Compton Police Capt. Steven Roller.

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Several gang members who were walking down the street spotted a car with several rivals inside, Roller said. At least one of the suspects opened fire, he said. A stray bullet apparently hit Leflore.

Lt. Reggie Wright said the gangbangers on foot consider the transit center their territory but usually don’t cause problems because of passers-by and police patrols.

“But this time,” he said, “they got bold.”

Times staff writer Nieson Himmel contributed to this story.