Man Caught in Line of Gunfire Is Shot Dead

A man was killed Saturday when he was caught between possible gang members whose argument outside a South-Central Los Angeles convenience store escalated into gunfire, police said.

Charles Collier, 45, and three friends parked about 1:40 a.m. outside the store in the 200 block of East Manchester Avenue between two vehicles whose occupants were arguing, said Lt. David Lindsay of the LAPD’s 77th Division.

A man in one vehicle jumped out and shot at the other, hitting Collier in the head and neck, Lindsay said. The gunman fled in a green sport utility vehicle, he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dets. Armando Bernal and George Diaz at (213) 485-1385.

Another dispute turned fatal Saturday when one participant opened fire, said Sgt. Dan Sturdy of the LAPD’s Newton Division. Roberto Gutierrez, 32, is suspected of killing Luis Zaragoza; both are alleged members of the same gang, said Det. J.D. Furr. The gunman fled in a blue Ford Explorer with license plate number 3WIY427, Furr said.

Newton detectives were also investigating a Friday afternoon shooting that killed a man, 20.

Anyone with information is asked to call (323) 846-6556.

Also on Friday, Andre Dunkin Jr., 19, died after a shooting the previous night in Leimert Park on South 7th Avenue, said LAPD Sgt. Robert Rivers.

On Wednesday, Raymond Lee Baker, 25, was fatally shot near 41st and Figueroa streets by a man who fled in a blue Oldsmobile Cutlass, police said.

Anyone with information on these cases may call (213) 485-2417.