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Tavar Eugene Thomas, 19

Tavar Eugene Thomas, a 19-year-old black man, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, after being shot in the 400 block of West 102nd Street in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Thomas got into an argument with another man outside a home about 1:45 p.m. Jan. 23, Los Angeles Police Det. Nate Kouri said. The argument continued inside, and the man pulled a gun and shot Thomas, Kouri said.

Thomas was taken to a hospital, where he died the following day, at 6:14 p.m. Jan. 24, according to coroner’s records.

Police said the gunman and Thomas were involved in an “ongoing dispute,” but declined to elaborate further.

Kenneth Benjamin, a 22-year-old black man, was arrested in connection with Thomas’ death on March 13, according to online jail records. He was charged March 15 with one count of murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Benjamin pleaded not guilty and is due back in court March 28, according to prosecutors.

Anyone with information is asked to call 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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