Andrew Gregory Bender III, 19

Andrew Gregory Bender, a 19-year-old black man, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, after he was shot in the 8500 block of Cedar Street in Bellflower, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records. 

On Jan. 27 about 9 a.m., Bender and a friend were walking from a liquor store to a gathering at a nearby house. As the two men walked back, a gunman ran up behind them and opened fire, said Det. Eduardo Aguirre with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. 

Bender was hit while his friend ran for cover, Aguirre said.  The friend was not injured.

After firing several rounds, the gunman ran to a vehicle and fled the area, Aguirre said.

Bender was taken to a local hospital. On Feb. 9, he was pronounced dead at 8:16 a.m., according to coroner’s records.

Detectives believe Bender was targeted because of his affiliation with the Neighborhood Compton Crips, Aguirre said.

Investigators believe the gunman and driver are black men in their 20s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 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 @jeromercampbell and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.