Man Shot and Killed During Argument in Bellflower

A search was under way today for a gunman who killed a man during an argument in nearby Bellflower, authorities said.

The violence broke out in the 16000 block of Woodruff Avenue around 9:10 p.m. Sunday, said Deputy Irys Alvarez of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

The man was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said. His name was withheld pending notification of relatives. 

"Witnesses told deputies that while parked in the parking lot of that location, the victim was sitting in his vehicle talking to the suspect," she said. "At some point, the suspect and the victim began arguing. The argument escalated to the point where the suspect shot the victim once in the upper torso," Alvarez said.

"The victim attempted to drive off but became unconscious and collided with the east sidewalk of Woodruff Avenue. The suspect drove away in his personal vehicle in an unknown direction."

Suspect Description

The suspect was described as Hispanic, in his early 20s, between 5 feet 9 and 6 feet, with dark hair.

Anyone with information on the crime was urged to contact the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or http://lacrimestoppers.org.

- City News Service