Frederick Bernard Simon, 47

Frederick Simon, a 47-year-old black man, was shot and killed Saturday, April 30, in the 200 block of West 53rd Street in South Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Simon was the victim of a drive-by shooting, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.

He was shot about 10:40 p.m. and pronounced dead at the scene less than 20 minutes later. Coroner's records show he was shot in the head.

In an email to The Times, Rev. Robin Moreno, program director for Project Saving Grace, said Simon "had a big heart and he had the sweetest smile...There is so much to this man that a lot of his co-workers never saw, they saw the big tough guy and I saw a sweet teddy bear, cause that's what he was a sweet teddy bear that loved life and all it had to offer.

He was a man who looked towards turning 65 and retiring to the south, where he would do nothing but fish and enjoy his life," she said.

Anyone with details about the incident or the identity of the shooter is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times