Habib Ameer Zekajj, 38

Habib Ameer Zekajj, a 38-year-old black man, was shot and killed Thursday, Nov. 6, in the 37200 block of 47th Street East in Palmdale, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 12:26 p.m., Zekajj was sitting inside a McDonald’s restaurant when a person walked up to him and shot him, said Lt. John Corina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The gunman fired at least one shot in front of a dozen people, striking Zekajj in the upper torso. Zekajj was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:44 p.m., said Ed Winter, the assistant chief of investigations for the coroner’s office.

Witnesses told authorities that the men were not arguing before the shooting and that Zekajj was eating alone.

Zekajj’s friends told KTTV that he went by the name Big Paybacc. His music videos on YouTube have hit more than a half-million views.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times staff