Andre McPherson Jr., 20

Aug. 2, 2010, 11:02 a.m.

Andre McPherson Jr., a 20-year-old black man, was fatally shot Thursday, July 29, near South Flower Street, north of West Gage Avenue in Vermont-Slauson, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Police received a radio call about shots fired about 6:30 a.m., said LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide Det. Doug Pierce, who is handling the investigation.

Authorities were called and found McPherson suffering from several gunshot wounds, according to coroner's records.

He was taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where he died at 10:08 a.m., Pierce said.

Investigators have not made an arrest in connection with the shooting, and do not have a description of the suspected shooter.

Pierce said McPherson was a documented gang member.

Anyone with information about his death is asked to contact Det. Pierce at (213) 485-1383. Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

-- Sarah Ardalani

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20 reader comments

@ Syscom3 ...I'm quoting Paul619"Syscom3,
You commented:
"Your perceptions of reality is warped by the violent life you live in. For me and others, violence is abnormal and people tend to be non violent and rational."
You claim to be "non violent" and "rational" yet on a majority of your emotional posts you are condoning violence to be met with violence. I believe your sincere when you say these people deserved to die. That makes you just as ignorant as the gang members! Your passive aggressive stabs that you take at other peoples comments are a far cry from murder, but your certainly not part of the solution. That makes you part of the problem."
YOu had no response for that comment because it hit you hard...You are very evasive and you attempt to deflect any comments that questions your integrity and you credibility....GOOD JOB you should become a politician....

— FOol Nov. 15, 2011 at 10:54 a.m.

May you Rest in Peace Andre McPherson, and may your family and loved ones find comfort in the Lord.
No one has the right to take the life of another, we as a black society never give, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other natural diseases a chance to take a toll on us, instead we spread the disease of gun and drug violence, and take our own lives.
To the ones that are leaving comments we need to look at the ENTIRE picture. I understand the different views of those that are posting comments, but let’s face reality. We need to stop blaming others and blame ourselves (blacks) we are the ones that are destroying our own race due to gun violence and drugs, it’s a sad, sad case. I know and understand that there are many people that grow up in negative environments and some may only know how to survive in the streets, so they turn to gangs and other illegal activities, that’s why we need to BEGIN pushing education on our youth, we need to be a voice to those that are speechless and eyes for the blind lets get more advocates to come together and mentor these young men and women so that we may have a chance to enjoy “lilies and white picket fences”. We also need to know and understand that there is more to life than claiming territory, colors, rims and ignorance. Let’s get it together.

— B.O.N.D Aug. 15, 2010 at 1:52 a.m.

-BigRo619,

I DONT CARE what hardships people go through that makes them commit crimes and to be part of street gangs. What ever it is, it's no excuse.

There is nothing you can tell me that would make me feel compassion for these dregs of society.

You couldnt look me in the eye and tell me that gangsters care about me and the rest of society, and the community's they live in.

Social class has nothing to do with someones choice to be in a gang, and if you think otherwise, this conversation is over because your to stupid to reason with.

I have said this before, I too have lost a family member to gang violence, and it was from choices he freely made on his own. So dont try to sell me the crap about "my lilly white world".

Joining a gang is a choice these gangbangers make, and they all know what the outcome of that choice usually is. Ever wonder why there are very few old gangsters?

— Eye Opener Aug. 10, 2010 at 5:31 p.m.

bigro619-

"it just when negative events happens in their/your communities there not reported as to keep a postive view"

Can you give me some examples/proof? Because from what I've always gathered many in the black and latino communities always complain (and rightly so) that there isn't ENOUGH publicity of this crap. So which is it?

Also, yes, crime does occur in every community, of every color, but at a far higher rate in communities of color. That's an irrefutable fact, not some grand conspiracy by whitey. Look at the HR blog stats.

Mr. Wolf-

Yes, gangs have existed for a long time, and for many different reasons, but I strongly disagree that it's hopeless or that we've ever been "tough" on enforcement or combating it. Tough is using the RICO laws to round these gangbanger scum up and put em away for a long time, in many cases before they can end up killing innocent people, which inevitably happens. Tough is taking a hard look at why these communities have fallen into disrepair-break down of the family unit, drugs, government dependance, disregard for education, and acknowledging those things. Tough is booting out the do-nothing politicians that keep getting elected and change nothing. Of course all of these things have and will continue to be resisted as long as certain "leaders" of these communities make a very handsome living and retain power by perpetuating the victim mentality and keeping people in chains.

— chris Aug. 10, 2010 at 5:14 p.m.

“ ....... it just amazes me how you can live in your little lilly white world and cast judgement on people, that may not have had the same opportunities as you two!”

I need to talk to my parents about where all those riches were when I was young. Come to think of it, my parents grew up themselves in poverty so they might not know what a “silver spoon” is. And how do you know I live in a “lilly white world?”

“....... This young man may have gangbanged and let face it whites communities have gangs as well, it just when negative events happens in their/your communities there not reported as to keep a postive view and keep the property values up.”

The crime stats don’t support your contentions. Most violent gang activity in Southern California is black and Latino related. Of course there is white gang and asian gangs. But they’re far less numerous and violent as the others.

“ ....... yes when you grow up an only child, you need conrad to Bee down for the get down. Be it Mr. Mcpherson banged Blood or cuzz,”

Say that in plain English please.

“ ....... he did not deserve to loose his live at 20 years, so young. “

He made choices in life that put himself in harms way. He went looking for trouble and trouble found him!

“What kind of stupid or erroneous things did you do at the age of 20, that could have cost you, your life and god saw you though.”

I did not partake in criminal activity at any age. And the vast majority of people in the world don’t either. Your perceptions of reality is warped by the violent life you live in. For me and others, violence is abnormal and people tend to be non violent and rational.

— syscom3 Aug. 10, 2010 at 4:33 p.m.

Eye Opener and syscom3, it just amazes me how you can live in your little lilly white world and cast judgement on people, that may not have had the same opportunities as you two!
This young man may have gangbanged and let face it whites communities have gangs as well, it just when negative events happens in their/your communities there not reported as to keep a postive view and keep the property values up.
I say that to say this, I grew up with homies that banged and yes when you grow up an only child, you need conrad to Bee down for the get down. Be it Mr. Mcpherson banged Blood or cuzz, he did not deserve to loose his live at 20 years, so young.
What kind of stupid or erroneous things did you do at the age of 20, that could have cost you, your life and god saw you though.. Yes these young men could have made better decisions, but in life people decisions are limited in scope to that which shapes their everyday living environment!

— BigRo619 Aug. 10, 2010 at 1:37 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Andre McPherson Jr., 20

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