Steve Duwayne Lawson, 50

July 27, 2014

Steve Duwayne Lawson, a 50-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, July 27, near Firestone Boulevard and Rayo Avenue in South Gate, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Lawson, a tow truck driver, had repossessed a car in Compton about 4 a.m. and may have been followed to East Rosecrans Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in East Compton, where police received a report of gunshots, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It’s unclear whether Lawson was struck by gunfire at that location. Lawson continued to drive east on Firestone Boulevard, with the repossessed vehicle in tow, and eventually crashed into a car at Rayo Avenue. He then got out of the truck and was shot.

Lawson was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4:23 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Caitlin Owens

Share a memory or thought about Steve Duwayne Lawson

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

23 reader comments

@Repo man
Just a thought.....
Are you waiting for God to answer your prayers right now? Maybe you are not waiting for God, but still things are not happening the way you hoped or expected them to. Does it seem like your hopes and dreams are never going to be fulfilled? Maybe you are waiting to meet 'Mr. Right/ Mrs. Right or you are longing to have a child? You want that promotion/job at work or you are desperate to buy your own home?
Sometimes it's hard to understand why God doesn't allow things to happen straightaway. An important lesson that I am continuing to learn each day is that God works things out in his own perfect timing. Trusting in God, I believe He is the key to success and happiness in life.
Repo Man, we are going too continuously to pray for you and peace in our hearts.
If you knew Steve D. Lawson he was a patient man.
One Love

— One Love Nov. 13, 2014 at 11:33 a.m.

If this case was actually being worked , why have the detectives not even given a description of the suspects cars? Seems like repossessors that are out looking for cars may even be able to locate the cars that chased this man down. Not a color , model, from all the traffic cams and 7 /11 store? What about the other camaro,that was towed? Who was that? Who were the guys that were arrested on related charges? Was Steve not important enough to even request the publics help in a news conference ? It bothers me how some deaths are more important to solve than others... I know that every crime will not be solved, but why have to detectives not even given a description of the shooters or the cars they drove even if to warn other repomen to watch out .

— Repoman Nov. 9, 2014 at 9:08 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Steve Duwayne Lawson, 50

Share a memory or thought about Steve Duwayne Lawson

23 reader comments