City officials offer reward for capture of Gramercy Park shooter

Los Angeles City Councilman Bernard C. Parks offered a $50,000 reward Tuesday for information that could lead to the capture of the shooter who killed a man in Gramercy Park last week.

On Feb. 9, Herbert Seymour Jr., a 31-year-old black man, was walking home from a nearby liquor store near 105th Street and Western Avenue about 10:40 p.m. when an unknown person approached from behind and shot him several times, according to an LAPD news release.

Authorities were called and Seymour was pronounced dead at the scene shortly before 11 p.m.

Investigators said the assailant was last seen fleeing the area on foot heading north on Western Avenue toward 104th Street.

The killer is described as a black male in his late teens to early 20s.

Police said the motive for the shooting remains unknown.

Since January 2007, at least 467 homicides have been reported within four miles of Seymour's shooting, according to coroner’s data collected for the Homicide Report.

Anyone with information about the death of Herbert Seymour Jr. or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact 77th Street Criminal Gang and Homicide Division Det. Eric Crosson or Sam Arnold at (213) 485-1383. During non-business hours, calls should be made to (877) LAPD-24-7. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).

-- Sarah Ardalani

Photo: Cynthia Seymour hugs daughter Christian, 11, after the L.A. Police Department announced a $50,000 reward for information in the killing of Seymour's husband, Herbert Jr., who was shot Feb. 9. With them at the 77th Street Division Station are Herbert Seymour Sr. and Patricia Fargas. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times 

Map: Shows location of Seymour's stabbing in purple, as well as 467 other homicides in red, since January 2007. Credit: Homicide Report