Charles Edward Cheatham, 31

Jan. 7, 2010, 7:42 a.m.

Charles Cheatham, a 31-year-old black man, was fatally shot Thursday, Jan. 7, at Slater Avenue and 110th Street in Watts, authorities said.

Los Angeles Police Det. Gerry Pantoja said Cheatham was walking down the sidewalk about 7:30 a.m. when at least one person approached him and shot him several times in the upper body.

Pantoja said Cheatham was walking either to or from a local store at the time of the shooting. Because the shooting happened relatively early in the morning detectives said they have not found any witnesses.

Police have no suspects in the killing, but Pantoja said they believed it was likely gang-related because several local factions of the Blood gang have been exchanging gunfire in the area.

"That area has always been pretty tumultuous," he said.

Pantoja said Cheatham was a documented gang member, but he had no substantial criminal record. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:42 a.m.

Police are seeking the community's help investigating this killing. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-877-529-3855.

-- Anthony Pesce

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31 reader comments

Hi cousin baby i miss you soooooooooo much , im up at work and thought of you like always so im sitting on the computer and decided to type your name and this came up i was reading the comments like lol gotta love you some charlie i swear to god on uncle bo it still hurts like yesterday i cried for months i couldnt believe it moms did too she didnt understand ill never forget seeing her cry so hard smh she wheres your pin wherever she goes lol you know ill never forget you always keep you alive mane lol its almost 6 years youve been gone feels like yesterday smh im getting alil to emotional so ima go k i lovvvveeeee yooouuu keep resting in peace wish you could have met khalil i know he would have loved you maybe you could have brought him his first yoyo like you did for me lol i still remember when you first got out and came to the school to suprise me lol wish i could see cy , an carli i know they misss you , you were a wonderful dad cousin brother uncle and friend until we meet again LOVE YO LITTLE BUG.....

— dalisa johnson Jan. 5, 2016 at 3:35 a.m.

In gang infested areas you have to be really careful with what you say to the police or the sheriffs...This may be one of those times....Because those that live in the inner city are faced with gang and drug problems the police department almost always assumes that whoever they are interrogating is from the neighborhood that they live in...THis is not the case for many...I have a cousin that was interviewed before getting drafted in the NFL and during the interview he was asked how was it that he grww up in COmpton but never became a gang member....several teams passed on drafting him citing that he may bring that to the arena...WOW...Now lets look at this case in point...THis man was working and providing for his family however if he was ever pulled over the police will jot down his information in their little black book most likely with gang attachments...Many people need to question the police department when this happens and file complaints when this is being done...To the Cheatam family attempt to have that remove from his packet as this will help his children in the future...Trust me on this...and also you can have victims of crimes reimburse any bills they you may have accrued due to his death...Ignore the negative in this world and make sure the children know who their father really was

— FOol Jan. 13, 2012 at 1:46 p.m.

@ Friend- after reading your posted statements- you contradict yourself. By calling yourself a Friend shows your Contradictions. You see a Friend would not have posted anything that would have disputed what ever it is the Family thought. If it was of an important nature they would have expressed it in private not in a public forum. A Friend would have respected a Family's grief and left the matter alone. A Friend would understand that with a loss as great as this and in the tragic way it happened, that emotions in this instance would be at an all time high and all those affected would be very sensative. Anything said could be "blown" way out of proportion. If you were truly this man's Friend you would not get in to verbal battles with a greiving sister. No, I think you are something eles and "A Lady" would not be descriptive of YOU. Apparently the family did not know you and you wanted to be known, it bothered you inside that were not Known. Otherwise, you would have never said anything other that to offer condolences and positve thoughts. To attack a family because of what you claim to know or don't is in very poor taste and shows a lack of class on your part. As the sister said the point is MOOT, the Gentleman is gone. Those that are left are trying to put their lives back together with that "one piece" missing. they don't need you to take their memories apart, while they anixously await the results of police investagation. Since you know so much about his life and activities have you spoken with the police? As a true friend would - to help them catch the evil person who did this? Most likely not -you really aren't that much of a Friend Are you? Just someone trying to make their presence known. you sound as if you are a little jealous and a lot spiteful..No True Friend would behave in such a manner. You lost a "Friend" They lost a BROTHER. What part of that don't you get?

— CME2 April 22, 2010 at 5:26 a.m.

To Friend... I could careless about you.. as for knowing my brother, the church was full of those.. as for what you knew or did not know .. who cares.. Charlie had away of making everyone feel speacil. Apparently you are no different. But what i do Know is this Anyone who was of true Significance
in my Brother's life is known to one of us. if you were such a Friend you would be known. I really don't think much of you or your lady-like demeanor.. as I said I am offended I do not accept your apology.. mainly beause you know nothing about what you are saying , you are not privy to any of out family discussions..yes he was "single" in the sense he had not walked down the isle, you speak as if you had plans with him.. but I am here to tell you that if he was thinking of you in any serious manner at all... He would have told us...31 years of him being my brother stands strong. any Lady he was serious about he brought to my Home or told our DAD... so far there was only ONE.. and YOU were not it. Please don't anwser anymore. I don't know you and do not care to. My brother is gone.. Respect that if you have any dencency about yourself and keep your thoughts to yourself. As for blowing things out of proportion - what is wrong with you? Of course everything is out of proportion, emotions are all over the place... MY BROTHER (do u get it!) MY BROTHER IS DEAD.. SOMEONE KILLED HIM..what do you expect? Do you have any feelings or respect? I think not because if you did you would have kept them to yourself. If you knew my Brother you would know not to pick public arguements with his siblings.
But i suspect you are someone eles playing a game and it is rather sick. whatever the case KNOW ONE CARES FOR YOUR OPINION -it won't bring my brother back. and all you are doing is making us angry. Back off. leave us to morn OUR BROTHER in PEACE. If you were really his Friend that what you would do.

— me April 22, 2010 at 3:44 a.m.

I think you have blown what I said way out of prepotion & yes of course no one mourns him the most than the woman who gave birth to him & his children. As for who I am is of no importants, but I will comment about one thing. Sorry but I was not born, nor raised in the projects... & yes I do agree no one will sleep better at night until the person/people involved are found & justice is served... but I was just impling not to sugar coat the truth. I too know alot about his situations, his concerns & things that he wasn't happy about. I'm just a friend nothing more & not trying to step on anyones toes, sorry if I offended you in anyway. Im very lady like & respectful & have much respect for him & his family. And as far as his relationship... I too knew everything that was going on, but will not speak on that because it is not my place. I merely stated that he was a single man. And to make it clear, I was very important to him, why you ask because i was a friend when all odds were againt the wall & that counted alot to him & alot too me always... Just because you dont know me doesnt mean anything all that matter is he knew me & knew where my heart was, like a true friend should.

— FRIEND April 15, 2010 at 2:19 p.m.

Initially my responses were one of pure emotion, but upon reflection (a quite a few deep breaths) I have to re- respond in this manner. It is an insult for someone who does not know my brother’s siblings to dare express what we as a family would or would not know about our brother. Who are you to presume you knew more? And the only person twisting truth is you. Just maybe he didn’t tell YOU what his next moves where. As for the status of his relationship I am laughing at you because we all knew where his heart really was in spite of what he was going through. No one knew for sure where it would lead not even him. Though you have had your own relationship with him and Have your own memories or grief to contend with, you should never cast aspirations on a family‘s relationship. It really is not your place. As for where my brother was born or grew up- yes he was born in the projects. And was a Victim of said projects in all the ways that you could be come a victim. And not to say there are not good people in the projects or people who are not striving for something more because there are. They are economic victims this is why they are there. No body that can choose different chooses to stay there when they can obtain better. And they leave and “visit” when they do. Because the projects is a Black Hole that shallows the Dreams of a People. The Project is a concrete jungle where you get shot and die going to the store for your Mama. The projects creates an economic despair that in turn creates a generation of young people that feel that they “gottta get that paper no matter what.” and that may very well lead to a bullet. And everybody sits back and say “oh well, pour one for the Home” and forget in 6 mos that the Home has a family he left behind and children that will never know their father, The environment of the projects will get you a record and jail time and when you get out you can’t get decent a job. Or get a Grant to go to school. So how did that help reform you? No ---where my Brother was “from” was from a loving family whose Mother was a strong woman who raised a phenomenal person who didn’t get a chance to show the world his true identity and abilities. She taught him to be the best he could be in whatever his circumstances. And NO ONE”S pain is greater than hers not even mine for She is His Mother. I don’t sleep well at night even though I know God needed him more and he is forever safe from the harm and pain of this World. Which really makes all of this Moot. He is gone and you have no right to intrude with your opinions on our pain. I don’t sleep because the person who stole his life is still out there Free. And you shouldn’t sleep either he could be looking at you just for being my brother’s “FRIEND’. Maybe that’s why you didn’t sign your name.

— A. Cheathem April 14, 2010 at 10:05 p.m.

@ "Friend"--you are no FRIEND of ours. How dare you assume what we as his family knew or didn't know about our Brother. Apparently you were not that important to Charlie because WE don't know YOU. As for what we knew inregards to his plans..you were never there or involved in our conversations regagrding his future. I know for FACT my Brother was coming up out of There because of my very last conversation with him just before his life was Stolen. (not that I have to explain it to NOBODY YOU. For if you were anyone important he would have made sure we knew you.) If you feel the need to express yourself come see me for I am TRUELY MACK's Big Sis. And no one never implied that he was not proud of were he came from or who he was as a Man. but he knew that where he grew up was NOT where he wanted to raise his kids, as for their Mother -He called her His Wifey and so do we. She will Forever be MY Sister so kiss what I Twist and Please don't miss. And where you grew up shows because you have no manners and no respect. If you did know Mack then you would know that disrespecting his family was and is a no-no. How dare you presume to even address us stay in your place.

— Anndrea Cheathem April 14, 2010 at 6:39 p.m.

I don't know where all of you are getting all these asumtions on where he lived & what he was doing or going to do... Charles did live in Watts but was not gang related in any shape or form... Its sad he was a victum from where he grew up... He was in no shape or form ashamed of where he came from... that is where he grew up but was determined to make a better life for "him & his children"! Its funny how everyone has their asumtions about what his next moves where, when only him his self knows what his near future plans were... Just because you are his siblings doesnt mean you know everything he was about because there is so much you have left out... For one he was starting a new life for his self, he was not married nor in a relationship. He was an honorable man who was loved dearly by all he came in contact with. It was the worest day of my life to loose such a great man, but I sleep better at night knowing he's in a better place. In regards to his memory please dont post what you think but what you know. I'm sure he would apprciate the truth rather than twisted truth or others version of his life. he has touched may hearts & his memory will live forever more especial in our hearts!!! He's in a better life & better place... He's home!!!!

— FRIEND April 13, 2010 at 12:39 p.m.

@SYSCOM3
PEOPLE BECOME VICTIMS OF THEIR ENVIROMENTS, MY BROTHER WAS SUCH. BECAUSE OF WHERE HE LIVED OR RATHER WHERE SOME OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY, YOU COULDN'T HELP BUT KNOW SOMEONE WHO WAS GANG AFFILIATED. AS FOR BEING DOCUMENTED AS A GANG MEMBER THE AUTHOR OF THIS PIECE HAS IT WRONG AND NEEDS TO GET HIS FACTS STRIGHT. I SPOKE TO THE POLICE WHO ARE HANDLING HIS CASE AND THEY TOO SAY THE INFO HERE IS WRONG. DON'T KNOW WHERE HE GOT HIS INFORMATION FROM. MY BROTHER WAS NOT A GANG AFFILIATE. CHARLIE BELIEVED IN PEACE.... HEAVEN COULD HAVE WAITED FOR HIM AND LET US HAVE JUST A LITTLE MOR TIME..... HE WAS GOING TO LEAVE THE AREA IN JUST 2 MORE DAYS ....INSTEAD GOD RIPPED OUT MY HEART. HE WAS MY BABY BROTHER AND THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN.

— ANNDREA CHEATHEM March 20, 2010 at 3:45 a.m.

CHARLIE WAS A WONDERFUL MAN, FRIEND & FATHER. YES INDEED HE LOVED HIS KIDS WITH ALL HIS HEART...! THEY WERE HIS PRIDE & JOY. WE USE TO ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HIS KIDS, HE USE TO SAY MY DAUGHTER REMINDED HIM OF HIS DAUGHTER & HE TREATED MY KIDS LIKE THEY WERE HIS. HE ALWAYS HAD A WAY WITH KIDS. HE WAS VERY KID FRIENDLY. HE WANTED SO MUCH OUT OF LIFE & HE WANTED TO CHANGE HIS LIFE..MOST OF ALL HE JUST WANTED TO BE THERE TO SEE HIS KIDS GROW TO BE POSITIVE YOUNG ADULTS. HE WAS A TRUE FRIEND WHO NEVER JUDGED YOU BUT EXCEPTED YOUR FLAWS & LOVED YOU ANYWAY... HE'S THE KIND OF MAN WHO CAN MAKE YOUR HEART SMILE JUST BY THE WAY HE LOOKED AT YOU. HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD. MY WHOLE WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN THE DAY I RECIEVED THAT CALL & ALL I COULD THINK IS WHY... WHY HIM, HE DIDNT DESERVE THIS. GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MUCH I MISS HIM & HIS FRIEND SHIP. HE BRIGHTEN UP MY DAY WHEN I WAS DOWN, HE LISTENED WHEN I NEEDED SOUMEONE TO LISTEN, WHEN I CRIED HE WIPED AWAY MY TEARS, AND WOULD TICKLE ME TILL I WOULD START CRYING OF LAUGHTER. I MISS MY HEART!!! I TREASUE ALL THE MEMORIES WE SHARED TOGETHER & I JUST WANNA THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE THE TIMES WE HAD TOGETHER. I HOPE JUSTICE IS SERVED IN THIS CASE & MAY HE REST PEACEFULLY... NOW THE PAIN HAS GONE AWAY...

— MS.N Feb. 12, 2010 at 4:54 p.m.

I am saddened by the misrepresentation of my brother in this article. Mr. Pesce, would you please check your facts. My brother was not a gang member. It is bad enough that someone has stloen his life from us, but to mispresent his life is just beyond insult to us (his family). Had you asked around you would have found that Charlie (as we so affectionatly called him) was a peacemaker. everyone who knew him knew that. Yes he had relatives with ties to gangs he could help that, but he himself was not a gang memeber. You are making light of and labeling a man who was a excellent father, a wonderful brother, a loving son and uncle. we were proud of him and you are tarnishing his memeory for us. shame on you for not checking your facts. shame. what if this was your brother????????
in tears
his sister.

— anndrea cheatham Jan. 27, 2010 at 8:52 a.m.

This was a detrimental mistake that resulted in the loss of a precious life. Charlie left behind our two young children, who adored their Father. How can I explain that loss to our babies? I would like to see the "documentation" that exists as to his involvement in a street gang. That accusation evokes a sense of rage in me. Charlie was a productive member of society who worked very hard to take care of his family. He was a Longshoreman and took pride in being a family man. He put his kids to bed with a kiss and a hug every night. He volunteered in their classrooms,on field trips and read bedtime stories to them each night. Charlie was not a gang member. He was a wonderful father and the love of my life. Myself and our two children were blessed to have such a humble and gracious man in our lives. We love and miss him so much.

— Melissa King Jan. 26, 2010 at 5:32 p.m.