A story for every victim

Raymond Lee Arnold, 31

Raymond Lee Arnold, a 31-year-old black man, was shot and killed Saturday, July 16, in the 12800 block of Crenshaw Boulevard in Hawthorne, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

Arnold was inside a barber shop called Updeh Cutz about 4 p.m. when he got into a confrontation with at least two other men in the shop in a strip mall at Crenshaw Boulevard and West El Segundo Boulevard, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina. 

During the argument, at least one of the men pulled out a gun and fired at Arnold, Corina said. 

More shots were fired as the two men went into the parking lot, and at some point a customer, a 29-year-old black man, was also struck by gunfire, Corina said. 

Arnold was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:09 p.m., according to coroner’s records. The other victim was taken to a hospital and is expected to survive, Corina said.

Investigators believe there was more than one shooter, but they don’t know if there was return fire from the barber shop or if both suspects opened fire, Corina said. 

Arnold has gotten his hair cut at the shop in the past, but he appeared to be there for another reason the day he died, Corina said. 

“We know more than one gun was involved and more than one shooter, we’re just trying to figure out who that might be and why,” he said. “No one is being very cooperative on this one, so it’s tough to know what’s going on.”

The two men were last seen getting into a car and driving away on Crenshaw, Corina said. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department 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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