Father of 6 Slain in Store Parking Lot
A 42-year-old father of six was shot to death in a parking lot by a gunman who robbed nearby convenience stores before and after the shooting, police said Monday.
“The guy robbed a purse at a 7-Eleven, then a little later shot and killed a guy, and then about a half-mile away did another robbery at a 7-Eleven,” said Los Angeles Police Department spokesman Joe Buscaino.
Police have photos taken by security cameras at the stores “but we have no idea who he is,” said Capt. Joseph Curreri.
The victim of Sunday night’s shooting was Leonardo Gomez-Perez of Canoga Park. Det. Mike Oppelt said there was no evidence that Gomez-Perez knew the shooter.
“It’s likely the motive was attempted robbery,” Oppelt said. “The victim was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Gomez-Perez, who worked as a house painter, had a wife and six children in Guatemala, police said. He shared an apartment here with his brother-in-law.
The suspect was described as between 25 and 35, African American, between 160 and 190 pounds and having a shaved head.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
