Darren Harold Dunning, 22

July 8, 2010, 5:15 p.m.

Darren Dunning, a 22-year-old black man, was shot and killed Saturday, July 3, near Florence Avenue and Cimarron Street in Chesterfield Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Dunning got into a dispute with another man about 7:35 p.m. and was shot, said Los Angeles Police Department 77th Division Det. Eric Crosson, who is handling the investigation.

Authorities were called and Dunning was pronounced dead at the scene, Crosson said.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident, however, it appears the shooting was gang-related, Crosson said.

The assailant was described as a black male, approximately 40 years old.

Anyone with information about the identity of the shooter or details about the death of Darren Dunning is asked to contact Det. Crosson at (213) 485-1383.

-- Sarah Ardalani

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59 reader comments

Dear Darren,
The block is not the same without you. It took me a while to say something because it was just too hard. This is all still unbelievable. Every time I pull up to the house I look over expecting to get a "what's up Arb". You are not here in the physical but I still C you.

There are times in our lives when something happens that will touch you in a way that can't be forgotten and this my friend is one of them. There is not much that can fill the void of someone taken from you especially when it was all so meaningless so senseless.

They have found the coward who took your life Darren. He thought that he was going to get away with what he did but God is great and karma is real. I almost pity him because he is lower than scum. He has no understanding nor appreciation for Gods creations, no love in his heart, no faith, nothing but darkness --- ignorance and hate. He had no idea how many people cared for you, how many people your life had touched, and how many people waited and prayed for justice to find him.

I never thought that I would be going to your funeral. I never thought I would be going to your homicide trial. Its to much . But I will be there. You will always be in our prayers, in our hearts and thoughts. I'll always remember that lil boy sitting on the porch after school wit his lil shorts on and t-shirt, wit his lip stuck out and just a lil snot in his nose, who was always the lil homie, showed me love and looked out for me when my brothers where too far away.
Much Love
Rest in peace
Araba

— Araba Aug. 1, 2010 at 9:34 a.m.

Here we go again with the excuses. Paul: just exactly how difficult is it to move away from an area? You save up a few bucks, scout out a new destination and go. Everyone has done it a time or two. People such as yourself have ridiculously low expectations of these folks. Living in these terrible areas with kids is completely irresponsible because those kids are not only put in danger of being picked off by the gang banging trash, but also they are in danger of becoming the gang banging trash through close and constant association. It's time for people to quit making excuses and get off their lazy rear ends and make a better life for themselves. Nobody is going to do if for you and pretty soon all this entitlements and free ride crap is going to end because this country can no longer afford it. When that happens, all the excuses in the world won't keep you alive.
YURI, you had it exactly right.

— Citizenjohn July 23, 2010 at 7:15 a.m.

@syscom3

By the way who are you anyway why do you have any interest in what happen to my friend I don't see you saying this is a tragedy to you it's just black people and latinos doing what they do... what do you do peruse through homicide report comments to put people in their place so who is truly strange??? Is this entertainment to you??? Ps. If Martin Luther King Jr. Was not a great American who is... He stood for love that's it... Anybody who cares about human rights in general either loves or respects Martin Luther King Jr. Who should us blacks look to oh yeah not Obama he's a socialist right... But. Bet you don't mind public schools, the mailing system, police, firemen, libraries, parks,etc. All of these are socialized institutions... Not ranting jus such small space to say it all use your skills of deduction if you have any...

— 71blocbro July 19, 2010 at 10:54 p.m.

@syscom3
A Klansman never... I don't hijack religion to justify hate and I clearly stated I have no time to hate white people I have friends of all races so you can stop with the reverse racism argument that always comes up anytime blacks have something to say about their plight... I'm
pretty sure you don't like anyone who stands for advancement of the black race and yes blacks and Latinos do kill each other... But the white man has killed off races look at the native "American" you're obviously the one filled with hate because all you could take from what I said was hate... Everything I said is the truth history backs it up... My souls is fine how bout yours I pray for the day that god opens your eyes to the truth besides your superiority and self righteousness... it's fine to point out our problems but if I point out the white race problems then I'm hateful get over yourself I know that blacks have their issues but can you admit the white man has problems???

— 71blocbro July 19, 2010 at 10:30 p.m.

The police have to say "gang related" in most homicides because it has no other reason for the crime-the problem is when they find out that it is NOT gang related they never correct the information. Most people continue to believe that it was gang related so the victim must be a gang member-this is not always the case. This sounds like two men having a verbal altercation and one decided he was a coward so he shot Darren Dunning rather than be a man a handle his business with his fist. My prayers go out to Darren's friends and family and I hope you all will let God take care of the demon who shot your loved one. No matter what, Darren is gone and nothing you do will bring him back-so don't let the streets talk you in to doing anything to get revenge.God bless and keep you

— Lady Joker July 19, 2010 at 1:34 p.m.

@-...
@ -...
Yea you must be white? We already know of the selfishness and hatred that whites(not all whites However) have shown towards Africans and their descendants how long did it take for whites to stop hating blacks... Oh many still do, they hate obama and try to use political issues to express their hate... They hated Martin luther King, and Malcolm X so tell me what has the black race done to the white race really I'm unfortunate to have distniguish race but right now, for now its necessary... You hate yourself more than we have time for... Lastly if you don't care why are you here reading thus homicide report stick to the white mens struggle greed, imperialism, psychopathic cereal killers, hardcore drug addiction, and downright arrogance and hypocrisy... This goes to the stat quo

— 71bloccbro July 19, 2010 at 12:23 p.m.

This was not "gang related" in any way!!!!!! This was because of an ignorant man(who not only threatened a woman with a knife, but has also pulled a gun on the employees of the SUNNY LATINO MARKET and on the owner of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT,not just once but on numerous occasions! FACT! Where were the police then??? Hmmm) No gang signs were flashed nor gang slang thrown, so how is that "gang related"? These people have been grouping up in front of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT for about a year now and the police are completely aware of this.(Seems to me like their in a gang). Amazingly the police have no leads even though the suspect is first cousins with the owner of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT. Of corse, none of them came forth with any information on their family member.This is especially hard for me to take because you people are calling MY BROTHEREN the "gang member",and clearly it's the other way around! So to all that think this was "gang related" this could be you!

— angryblackman July 19, 2010 at 12:28 a.m.

This was not gang related in any way! This was because of an ignorant man( who not only threatened a woman with a knife but he has also pulled a gun on the employees of the SUNNY LATINO MARKET and on the owner of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT and not just once but on numerous occasions! Fact! Where were the police then? hhhmmmmm!). No gang signs were flashed nore any gang slang thrown, So how is that "gang related"? These people have been grouping up in front of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT for about a year now and the police are completely aware of this.( Seems like their the "gang"). Amazingly the police have no leads even though the suspect is 1st cousin's with the owner of the ISLAND BLEND RESTAURANT. Of course, None of them came forth with ANY information on their family member. This is especially hard for me to take because you people are calling MY BROTHEREN a "gang member", And clearly its the other way around! So to all that think this was "gang related" this could happen to you!

— angryblackman July 17, 2010 at 10:54 a.m.

It's funny how detectives can tell you about him having recent confrontations, but that has nothing to do with his life being taken. I feel like police are trying to label him as if he were a bad guy, and he wasn't like that at all... I honestly feel like detectives and police aren't on their ish because we see these guys riing around all day and night in this area, but when someone's life is in danger, they're nowhere to be found... It's like you bring up a prior situation just to JUSTIFY what happened, and really this was so horribly wrong! Let it had been the other way around, you would know all the details... Not one time did you think about how it would affect family and friends by the statements police and detectives make, especially wheb you don't give the full effect of the situation. Darren you will truly be missed... Luv ya!

— Quincey July 17, 2010 at 7:51 a.m.

For the people who are not familiar with Darren Dunning and is only commenting out of ignorance should really refrain from mishandling their tongues because it has been proving that people have multiple ones. In actuality what happened here was just pure murder by a person who has very little or no worth for life. Darren Dunning didn't die because of gang violence but on the contrary; it was because of the wickedness that possess mans heart. A gang member from 83 gangster crip did not do this; it was a Jamaican that has poor control of his actions and has a very low conscious who may very well be psychologically ill. This evil man used his hands as an instrument to take the life of our brother over a fight. This man is infected with jealousy and has a black heart for no apparent reasons which lead to this incident. I really believe if the police didn't look at this case as a gang related matter and take it as a human being of humanity has been murdered than they would perform a proper investigation and find the one responsible. If it were a white boy that was murdered by a black they would have lynched the person by now. They would have given capital punishment. We as African Americans need to protest and implement a new order that will put an end to this madness. We have been disheveled far too long and it is getting out of hand and my heart can no longer tolerate this ruckus. The police don't care because it is all politics. I'm sick and tired of hearing that when a black man is killed it is gang related when this incident was far from that. What happened to Google earth and all the cameras they have up in the hood but they can't find the person when they kill someone. The question is do they want and care about finding the person? What is the reason why they lock up innocent black man and Mexicans and allow the killers to be free to roam the streets?
From God came your soul and back to him shall you go, you were more than a friend you were a bro, I will keep you in my heart no matter if this wicked world has set us apart, man will pay for his sins because in the end only the righteous shall win!!!!! I love you bro and I'm hurting all the way in Africa sitting in a cafe reminiscing of the older days. Remember we use to play football in the middle of the street with your dad and all the homies? Remember on July 4th we would have fire work wars, barbeque and eat off a fat one? You and Mat boy use to sneak in through the window and be in the house eating food, candy, making prank calls and playing video games when we were young. Nothing can take you away from us as long as we have good memories…….

— Akbar July 16, 2010 at 2:01 p.m.

This was not gang related at all! this was an unfortunate incident that happened because of a punk ass jamaican(that has already assaulted a women and pulled a gun on an employee of the SUNNY LATINO MARKET and also on his own family the owner of ISLAND BLEND on numerous occasions! Fact! where was the police then? hhmmm ). No gang sings were flashed or gang slang thrown either, This was becaouse of that JAMAICAN RESTAURANT. They have been grouping up rite their for about a year now and the police are completely aware of this. They know the owner/employees are related and know or have something to do with this and still have done nothing. So to all that think this was gang related this could happen to u too! p.s To Det. Crosson this was a kind sirited well mannered THOUGHTFUL and respectful person with a big heart. Who took EXCELLENT care of his grandmother EVERYDAY ask ANYONE who knew him.

— ANGRYBLACKMAN July 16, 2010 at 11:41 a.m.