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Draysean Alexander Earl, 13

Draysean Alexander Earl (2009-05-06)

Draysean Earl, a 13-year-old African American boy, died a day after he was shot in the head Tuesday, May 5, in the 1400 block of South Temple Avenue in Compton, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

Draysean was sitting on a wall with four friends when someone walked by and opened fire at the group, said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner’s office. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident and found Draysean and Andrew Peppers, a 16-year-old black teen, lying in the grass. Both youths had been shot.

Draysean was taken to a hospital and died Wednesday, May 6, at 1:40 a.m. Andrew died at the scene.

Witnesses described the shooter as a black man who ran north after firing at the group, according to Los Angeles County sheriff's officials. Sheriff’s homicide detective believe the shooting may be gang-related.

Anyone with information is asked to call (323) 890-5500.

Read about Draysean's funeral: 'It was just a senseless crime.'

-- Anthony Pesce

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