John Westley Matthews, 36
John Matthews, a 36-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, Feb. 5, in the 8800 block of South Vermont Avenue in Westmont, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
About 6:58 p.m., Matthews was walking near a church and had stopped to talk to a parking attendant when a man walked up and shot Matthews and the lot attendant, said Lt. Dave Coleman with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Matthews’ longtime girlfriend was nearby but did not witness the shooting, Coleman said.
Matthews and the other man, identified as a 35-year-old black man, were taken to a hospital. Matthews was pronounced dead at 7:35 p.m., said Ed Winter, a coroner’s spokesman.
An autopsy has yet to be completed, he said.
The other man is listed in stable condition, according to authorities.
The gunman is described as a black man with a stocky build. He is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall.
The gunman fled westbound on West 89th Street on foot, Coleman said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (322) 890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
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