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Joseph Louis Neal, 39

Joseph Louis Neal, a 39-year-old black man, died Sunday, May 20, after he was shot in the 8500 block of Cimarron Street in Manchester Square, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 10:30 p.m. on May 19,  Neal along with a group of more than 30 people, were gathered at a car wash and strip mall at a candlelight vigil for a person who died in federal prison of natural causes, said Los Angeles Police Det. Chris Barling.

A dark-colored sedan approached, driving north on Cimarron Street from Manchester Avenue,  and a person fired multiple rounds, striking Neal and Shauntrell Darnell Matthews Jr., 21, Barling said.

The car continued north, police said. Neal was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:16 a.m. the next day. Matthews was pronounced dead at 10:38 p.m. at the scene, according to coroner’s records.

Investigators are looking into whether a gang in the area may have targeted the group because they assumed the group was part of a rival gang, Barling said. The vigil being held was for a gang member, officials said.  

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at (323) 786-5113. 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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