Curtis Brandt DeTurk, 27

Curtis Brandt DeTurk, a 27-year-old white man, was shot and killed Sunday, Oct. 4, in the 11300 block of West Magnolia Boulevard in North Hollywood, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner's records.

About 10:30 p.m., officers from the North Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon and found DeTurk on the ground outside a pizza shop, said LAPD Det. Steve Castro. 

DeTurk, who was homeless, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. 

Investigators said that DeTurk was outside the pizza shop with a few others and asked a passerby for some change, Castro said. The two exchanged words and the man pulled out a gun and shot DeTurk.

Police identified the suspect as River Harris, a 24-year-old Black man. Harris has been charged with one count of murder, according to court records.

Harris is due back in court Dec. 10, records show. 

Shelby Schnitz, DeTurk’s sister, said that her brother had recently moved to Los Angeles from Indiana with dreams of starting a new life and becoming famous by playing the guitar. 

“He seemed to love it out there,” she said of L.A.

Schnitz described her brother as a nice man who was gentle and caring. 

“He didn’t know a stranger. He’d give you the last dollar or the shirt off his back,” she said.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call Castro at (818) 374-1925. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.