Byron Miller, 22 [Updated]

Oct. 25, 2010, 10:13 a.m.

Byron Miller, a 22-year-old black man, died Sunday, Oct. 24, near Del Amo Boulevard and Leapwood Avenue in Carson, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Miller was in a moving vehicle about 2:10 a.m. when it was fired on and he was hit. It's unclear as to whether he was the driver or a passenger.

After the shooting, Miller's car crashed into a tree, Winter said. Authorities were called, and he was taken to a hospital where he died 45 minutes later, according to coroner's records.

Winter said Miller died from the multiple traumatic injuries, including the gunshot wound and blunt force trauma from the crash.

The Times has contacted investigators to get more details about the case and will provide an update as soon as possible.

[Updated at 5:49 p.m. Oct. 27: Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department homicide Det. Dan McElderry, who is handling the investigation, said Miller was the passenger in the car. The female driver was hospitalized after the accident, McElderry said, but has since been released.

Investigators are working on several leads.

Anyone with information about the death of Byron Miller is asked to contact Dets. McElderry or Kevin Acebedo at (323) 890-5500. Tipsters who'd like to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.]

-- Sarah Ardalani

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37 reader comments

James, you have some knowledge but you lack true wisdom. Furthermore, you lack sympathy as your remarks are insensitive, offensive and inappropriate. This is not the proper forum to instigate a debate regarding social, economical and political issues that, contrary to your statement, indubitably determine the trajectory of a person’s life, (is that precise and/or clear enough for you). I don’t know who you are but I am confident that you are not a friend or family member of our loved one, Byron. Based on your style of writing I surmise that you are a journalist/writer. If you are in need of some material to write about, I implore you to write about the colossal injustices occurring everyday in American Ghettos.
I do not feel qualified to speak for Byron or his family; however, as his friend and spiritual brother I will say that I believe your words are an insult to the life and reputation of a magnificent human being. Byron was, and still is, a light in a dark world. He is a man of massive courage and mental strength who has faced and overcame the most difficult tribulations that a person could encounter in life.
James there are some lessons we are supposed to learn during our adolescent years. Apparently you did not learn those lessons so allow me to teach them to you. The first lesson is if you don’t have anything nice to say than don’t say anything, what you wrote was not very nice. Lesson two; think before you speak, what you wrote was thoughtless and inconsiderate. If you would have taken the time to think before you wrote that comment I believe the laws of common courtesy and respect would have detoured you from writing it. The third lesson is; choose your battles wisely. Asserting that the system is not unfair and oppressive towards minorities’ positions you on the opposite side of truth, and you cannot prevail in a battle against truth. The last and most important lesson, considering the circumstances, is; respect the dead. For you to even say and/or suggest that Byron’s demise was the result of his own doing is disrespectful and cruel.
James, those who love Byron are in the process of grieving, for we have suffered a tremendous loss. Please let us grieve in peace. I ask that you resist the temptation to respond to me, (if you are tempted to respond), on this site. I would love to engage in further dialogue with you regarding social and economical injustice in America. However, let’s agree to discuss said matter via email. I posted my email address in my previous post, for easy reference I will post it again. My email address is markthompsonfitness@yahoo.com.
Last of all, gang related incidents in the Ghetto are not shenanigans; rather, gangs are a serious issue in our communities. Gang violence in our communities is spreading and consuming our youth like a deadly strain of cancer, it is not a joke nor should it be spoken of in a nonchalant manner.

— Mark Thomposn Nov. 8, 2010 at 4:17 a.m.

My name is Mark Thompson. I work for an organization called I.M.P.A.C.T., the word I.M.P.A.C.T. is an acronym for Incarcerated Men Putting Away Childish Things. Our organization, IMPACT, works inside the California Youth Authority, also known as the Department in Juvenile Justice. During my time working inside the Youth Authority I had the blessed opportunity to meet and spend time with Byron. I learned to love and embrace Byron as a brother and based on our interaction I believe he embraced me in the same manner.

Yesterday I received the tragic news of Byron’s death. Hearing that news incited several different emotions within me. I felt sad, angry, frustrated and conviction. Sad because I feel like I lost a brother, angry and frustrated because I believe Byron was a victim of a system that is broken and sets our young men up to fail and convicted because I can’t help but wonder if I could have had one more day with Byron or said something different or more, maybe the hands of fate could’ve been re-directed.

Our young men and woman continue to be victims of an oppressive and unjust system. We cannot wait for the system to help us and our people, we have to help ourselves and our people.

Byron, you are like a brother to me and I will never forget you. I remember, and I will never forget, our conversations about God, life, change, and future plans. I will never forget you brother and you will continue to live on in my heart and my words.

I wish I would have discovered the news of Byron’s passing before his funeral so I could have attended. I desire to pay my respects to my fallen brother, however, I don’t know where his burial site is. If anyone reads this and has knowledge of where Byron is buried, please contact me via email at markthompsonfitness@yahoo.com, or just post it here, so I can pay my respects to my brother.

To Byron’s family, I know that this is a most difficult time for all of you. If there is anything that I can do, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I pray that God will be with you during this time. I know Byron's mother recently passed away and that he has siblings, my heart goes out to you.

Byron, do not rest in peace brother, but live in peace, because there is life after death.

— Mark Thompson Nov. 5, 2010 at 11:43 p.m.

I notice there seems to be a common theme with some of these posters when the victim is a young black male. These young men ALWAYS seem to have an idea of who or what gang was "probably" involved AFTER THE FACT. It would be nice if you would let the loved ones OR the victims themselves know BEFORE if you know they are targeted for murder. It might save a lot of grief for the family members and maybe, just maybe, it would encourage the victims to stay out of harm's way. If the "victim" is a gangbanger it might encourage him or her to change their lifestyle. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I know we have to start somewhere. The KKK are loving the African-American (and Latino) gangs right now. The African-American race is being exterminated ONE by ONE just like the KKK have wanted it for many years and the KKK don't have to lift ONE FINGER. All the black men that were lynched for many, many decades for NOTHING by the KKK. Now gangbangers - pat yourselves on the back!!! Oh, by the way, I am African-American.

— Ms. Dennis Nov. 1, 2010 at 3:21 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Byron Miller, 22 [Updated]

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