Dewayne Anthony Childs, 19

Aug. 19, 2017

Dewayne Childs, a 19-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Aug. 17, in the 1000 block of East 84th Place in Florence, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 1:30 p.m., Childs and another man were walking west on East 84th Place when a light-colored sedan pulled up, Los Angeles Police Det. Dave Garrido said.

A person got out of the car and began shooting at the two men, police said.

Childs and Kevin Deawohnn Williams Jr., a 21-year-old black man who was with Childs, were taken to hospitals.

Childs was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m., according to coroner’s records. Williams also died.

The driver of the sedan fled south through a nearby alley, police said. The killings are believed to be gang-related, Garrido said.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD’s South Bureau detectives at (323) 786-5111. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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For the Record
Aug. 20, 4 p.m.: A previous version of this report misidentified Williams as Kevin David William.

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Four reader comments

It is very disheartening and impossible to believe that he went in the way described. I am just a cousin, but the family as a unit will pray to endure the pain that is a continual reminder of his loss. What he went through he did not deserve; but justice (as blind as it may be) will somehow find its trail, and the law will prevail in his honor. No one knows when this will occur, but it will. In the meantime, we will grow closer and stronger as a family who trusts in the Greater I AM who knows all and who comforts all. In spite of all that we are left to deal with now (it is a first incident death [of this] type for the family), leave it in the hands of those who are committed to get the responsible offenders off the streets. They are guilty of murder, and though it does not make us guilty of hate, we are harmed and realize that we are not safe apart from our faith and trust in the One who is above all systems. Today our hearts are heavy but (we) trust for the Peace that surpasses human understanding, believing that he also [Dewayne Childs] is “there” with us, until we meet again.

— Lorrie Crawford Aug. 19, 2017 at 1:28 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Dewayne Anthony Childs, 19

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Four reader comments