Slaying Raises Homicide Toll to Nearly Twice 1996 Total

A 24-year-old man shot to death outside a convenience store while chatting with friends late Sunday became the 32nd homicide in Pomona this year--nearly double the total for all of last year, authorities said.

Christian Lopez, 24, crawled into the 7-Eleven store in 700 block of East Holt Avenue before dying, Sgt. Ron McDonald said. Authorities were seeking two suspects in the slaying. Detectives were unsure of a motive for the slaying.

“Lopez and three companions were outside the store talking, when two suspects approached,” McDonald said. “Both suspects began shooting at the victim for unknown reasons.”

Last year, the city had at total of 18 homicides--about 16 by this time of year, McDonald said.

“There is no one particular reason for the rise,” he said.

Although the coroner’s office has classified all 32 deaths as homicides, McDonald said he expects one or two of them to be reclassified as accidental.