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Ivy Bodkins, 29 [Updated]

Ivy Greene Bodkins (2010-05-10)

 Ivy Bodkins, a 29-year-old white woman, was shot and killed Monday, May 10, in the 200 block of West Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Police responded to a domestic abuse call at a condominium complex about 7:30 a.m., according to a Long Beach Police Department news release.

When officers arrived at the residence, they learned from Bodkins' family member that her estranged husband had forced her out of the home at gunpoint.

At the same time, police at the scene received a report that a woman's body had been found in the underground parking structure of the complex. Officers went searching for the victim and found Bodkins' body, which had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, police said.

Bodkins was pronounced dead at the scene, according to coroner's records.

During the investigation, Long Beach police obtained information that the assailant was staying at a family member’s residence in Woodland Hills.

Investigators requested the assistance of the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to the Woodland Hills home to locate the suspect and gather additional information.

A short time later, Long Beach police received information that the suspect may have been involved in an officer-involved shooting in Canoga Park.

As of Monday, Long Beach police believe this to be the suspect from the ongoing murder investigation. However,  The Times is waiting on the LAPD Force Investigation Division to provide an identity and confirm the information.

[Update May 20: Long Beach police identified Bodkins' shooter as her husband, Donovan Morris, a 35-year-old black man.

Hours after Bodkins was killed, LAPD officers located Morris' vehicle in Canoga Park and followed it into a Best Buy parking lot, said Capt. Kris Pitcher, commanding officer of the LAPD Force Investigation Unit.

While holding a handgun, Morris exited the car and turned toward police, according to authorities. At that point, an officer fired at Morris, fatally wounding him. Pitcher said there was no indication Morris fired his weapon during the incident with police. The preliminary investigation found that Morris’ gunshot wounds came from the officer’s weapon. 

After he was shot, Morris was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center, where he died at 11:36 a.m., according to coroner's records.]

-- Sarah Ardalani

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