Eddie Ray Smith Jr., 43

Eddie Ray Smith Jr., a 43-year-old black man, was found dead Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex in the 5000 block of Rodeo Road in Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

People in the area flagged down authorities to report seeing an unresponsive man, said LAPD Det. Dave Garrido.

Police also received a call of an assault in the area, but initially there were no witnesses.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:45 a.m., said Ed Winter, assistant chief of investigations for the coroner’s office.

Throughout the investigation, detectives determined that two people had attempted to rob Smith and had beaten him, causing his death.

Tyshaun Vasquez, a 19-year-old black man, and Jordan English, 16, were each charged Jan. 5 with one count of capital murder with the special circumstance of a murder committed during an attempted robbery.

The two are also charged with one count of attempted robbery, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-4341. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Nicole Santa Cruz

Note: The coroner’s office has deferred a cause of death ruling for Smith, pending further investigation. Smith’s death is listed in the Homicide Report because murder charges have been filed against the assailants. English’s race/ethnicity is not listed because it is not yet available in online Sheriff’s Department records.