Police Ask Public To Help Hunt For Compton Shooting Suspect
COMPTON (CNS) — Deputies say a 19-year-old man who was gunned down in Compton last year was possibly mistaken for a gang member, and they want anyone with information on the shooting to come forward.
Michael Owens was shot about 2:15 p.m. Jan. 26, 2009, as he walked home near 132rd Street and Riddle Avenue.
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"We believe that the shooting was gang-motivated in retaliation (for) a shooting of two male blacks two days earlier," said Sheriff Lee Baca, who appeared with Owens' family members to seek the public's help in cracking the case.
Sheriff's Lt. Don Slawson said Owens was not a gang member, but may have been mistaken for one. He was listening to music on headphones, and apparently did not hear a car pull up near him, occupied by two men and driven by a woman.
"He didn't hear or see them get out of the car or draw a handgun," Slawson said. "They shot him numerous times in the back."
The men fled in a dark green car, possibly a Buick Regal. Another car was behind that one, and may have been connected with the crime. It was described as a gray or silver Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Owens' father Anthony, who was a member of the Army National Guard at the time of his son's slaying, served four tours of duty in Iraq. He is now a reserve member of the U.S. Marines, said Steve Whitmore of the sheriff's department.
The victim "wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Marines," Whitmore said. "And he wanted to join the sheriff's department.
Sheriff Baca was very moved by this tragedy, and he is organizing a department fundraiser to help the family."
Anyone with information about the case was urged to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500; or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
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