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Posey Thomas, 50

Posey Thomas, a 50-year-old black man, died Thursday, Dec., 10, after he was shot in the 8700 block of Beach Street in Florence-Firestone, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

The incident began about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, as Posey and a female friend sat in a minivan outside another friend's home in a neighborhood of single-family homes, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Coleman said.

A third friend, a man, was standing outside the minivan, when at least two people walked up to the van and began shooting, Coleman said. 

The victims did not notice how many people were shooting or get a description of the shooters, Coleman said.  "All they heard were the shots," he said.

The assailants then fled on foot in an unknown direction, Coleman said. 

Posey and his 49-year-old male friend were taken to a  nearby hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. His friend survived with bullet wounds in his arm, thigh and lower back, Coleman said. Their female friend was not injured.

Posey was pronounced dead at the hospital at 12:17 a.m. with gunshot wounds to the chest, according to coroner's records. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. 

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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