A story for every victim

Gerome Lee Thomas, 31

Gerome Lee Thomas (2017-08-25)

Gerome Lee Thomas, a 31-year-old black man, was shot and killed Friday, Aug. 25, in the 4400 block of South Western Avenue in Vermont Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Thomas was standing at the Master Burger restaurant about 6 p.m. with two others when a person walked up to him and shot him multiple times, Los Angeles Police Det. Dave Garrido said.

As the gunman fired, the two people with Thomas tried to run away. One man was struck in the calf, and the other man was not injured, Garrido said.

Thomas was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:57 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Detectives think the shooting was the result of a personal dispute, not gang related. The gunman ran south on South Western Avenue to a waiting vehicle, which fled the area.

Two brothers, Rubin Day, 21, and Christopher Day, 23, were charged Sept. 1 with one count each of murder, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

An additional defendant, Tishay Nicole Fountain, 22, also was charged with murder, prosecutors said.

The trio, all of whom are black, also was charged with attempted murder and assault with a semi-automatic firearm. The group also faces the allegation that the crime was committed on behalf of or in association with a criminal street gang, according to the district attorney’s office.

Rubin Day also faces an allegation that he discharged a firearm.

All three are due to be arraigned Sept. 19.

Anyone with information is asked to call South Bureau detectives at (323) 786-5113. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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