Kendahl Thena Williams, 18

March 31, 2010, 9:43 a.m.

Kendahl Williams, an 18-year-old woman, was shot and killed Saturday, March 27, in the 900 block of West 68th Street in Vermont-Slauson in an incident witnessed by police officers, authorities said.

Williams and a group of friends, including a 22-year-old man, were walking on the sidewalk shortly after 10 p.m., when a black 1998 Nissan Maxima with 4-doors and tinted windows stopped near them, according to an LAPD news release. The front passenger of the car fired multiple times at the group, striking Williams and the 22-year-old man, police said.

LAPD officers in the area saw the shooting and immediately followed the Nissan Maxima. The car drove west on 66th Street to Kansas Street where its occupants got out and ran. Investigators recovered the car and weapons allegedly used in the shooting but were still trying to identify and locate the suspects.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded to the scene and took both victims to a hospital. Williams suffered from gunshot wounds in the lower torso and was pronounced dead at 11:57 p.m., said Ed Winter, a spokesman for the coroner's office.

The second victim was treated for a gunshot wound to his leg, according to police. He remains in the hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to call Criminal Gang Homicide Dets. C. Geiger and D. Dilkes at (213) 485-1383. LAPD officials said anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

--Sarah Ardalani

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58 reader comments

My sincere condolences to the Williams Family; Kendahl was a pretty girl and I’m sure she was loved by many. I’m sorry she was taken in such a tragic manner. However, the HR is not a personal or obituary blog. Instead it gives readers the opportunity to express their outrage, sympathy, or sense of helplessness about what is happening in Greater Los Angeles and yes some even express racism and contempt. It’s free speech after all.

@ Laquanisha and those who believe this is a real person: to paraphrase Chad Ochocinco, “child please”! Although I understand what LQ was attempting to say, I don’t believe for a minute a young, modern day African-American woman would use such phrasing. I believe instead LQ was mocking Ms. Williams’ murder and then sadly many of you ran with it, which is just what this horrible person wanted.

Negroes (don’t be offended, look up the word if you must or listen to a MLK, Jr. speech) haven’t “talked” in such a way since the 1930’s & 40’s and then only in Hollywood movies. Ironically I was just watching “Green Pastures” yesterday on TCM. The same dialect was used and I found myself laughing out loud. Of course back then both the white writers and white audiences actually believed Black people spoke in such a fashion. These days people like LQ are just cruel. Oh lawd have mercy on they po racist behinds.

— Noelle Justice Jan. 18, 2011 at 12:32 p.m.

Hey, NSR & 1x7h1x7ver
...who cares about your gang IQ; What job requires that knowledge?, Can that knowledge put food on your table...

Just Say'N that is one of the best posts I have ever read. Do these kids and, too many times "grown-ass men and women," really believe that any of that BS will do them any good except in the penitentiary? While that "code" talk may impress your fellow gang members, it will not get you a job, it will not put food on your table legally and it will definitely not insure you a good future. Miss me with the "they are my family" BS. I grew up in the "hood" too. I didn't have a father in my life either and I watched this gang BS grow and grow and grow. And now, where are a lot of the people I grew up with that were viewed as "cool" then. In the penitentiary for Life or dead or sitting on the corner waiting on the liquor store to open, if they're lucky. Life means hard work not laziness, smoking blunts all day and waiting on your Baby Mama's check and food stamps. Not making baby after baby after baby with woman after woman after woman after woman. In my generation we were blatantly discriminated against and had a right to be angry. You youngsters have it so good in comparison. But you want to kill off your own people. The KKK wants to thank you for doing the work they don't have to do anymore. Believe me when I say the KKK are LOVING YOU RIGHT NOW! So grow up, realize life is NOT easy for anybody. You have to WORK for what you want. If you can't find a job, go to a trade school or JC. But don't just sit on your a?? waiting on somebody to hand you something. That is not going to happen.

— Ms. Dennis Nov. 1, 2010 at 12:16 p.m.

Anthony-

You're well aware of the stats and demographics, not just in LA but every city in this country, but like JJ said above it's tough to face facts. Like anything else, no problems will be solved until the problem is acknowledged. These aren't white people invading the barrios and ghettos and gunning down hispanics and blacks, but you're well aware of that. Take a look at the pics on the homicide page dating back to 2007. How many white faces do you see in there? It's heartbreaking and infuriating to think of all of those lost lives, and to top it off we have people like you who still won't address the problem. There's genocide occurring in these communities, and all you want to do is continue to blame whitey. Lame.

— Chris April 7, 2010 at 9:44 p.m.

I'm very sorry about this young lady's demise. I grew up @ 915 w. 68th st 2 houses from the corner of Menlo from 1974-1989. I've grew up with allot of the old school. my best friend sean smith as well as his little brother sied was killed there. it wouldn't suprise me if i knew the parents of this young lady. i've watch that area go from bad to worst i've lost countless commrads , Courtney archie, demetrius Mims, Oran Douglas and countless friends an allies from that area. Who ever is reading this please change your life and get out of the life like i did in the 90's belive me i was caught up over there till the point that i took my ass to a navy recruiter and haven't looked back unless it was to attend a memorial ect: i trully belive that that area is cursed. But young men and women if there's anything i can do to help you walk away and discover that there's more to life than a menlo, Hoover, 67, Brim world ect: lets talk

Email: shonwilliams0423@aol.com

Shon

— Shon Williams April 6, 2010 at 5:15 p.m.

Anthony,
I hope you are not seriously saying that only pedophiles and creeps come from the white neighborhoods.....that would be silly. Knowbody likes to face facts, and in most cases the truth hurts. You sound like an intelligent man, sooooo do the math. Read the blog and then count the number of times a car full of white boys rolled up on a group of white boys and asked "where you from" only to shoot them in the back as they ran away. Then read and count how many times it happens to blacks and latinos. In these areas they can get their hands on a glock before they can an education or job, do nothing but bitch and complain about it and blame "whitey" last time I checked we have a black president, I mean that is what I heard everybody saying when Obama got elected was " oh look out we got a brother in the white house now " okay......year later nothing has changed.

— JJ April 6, 2010 at 1:52 p.m.

I understood LAQUANISHA 2. syscom3 what do you mean, she was probaly part of LAUSD @ 1 time? I was a student at LAUSD schools from 7th - 12th grade and I received my Master's degree a few years ago when I was 25. What is your point? If you are trying to blame someone maybe u should blame technology. I am very well educated and have a lot of teaching and counseling experience, but sometimes I find myself writing and typing like I have little or no education from texting so much and trying to get all my words in. I suspect Mr. 1x7h1x7ver likes to change his name a lot, so we don't recognize him instantly from all his previous post. To Kendahl's dad- sorry for your lost. Its hard when someone you care about doesn't listen and makes big mistakes. Unfortunatley, people have to learn things on their own the hard way and all we can do is pray for them.

— Angel April 5, 2010 at 8:21 p.m.

Yes, I truly have, and that's why I make a point to say something instead of watching this cycle repeat itself over, and over again. The truth hurts, but as a community, we as one could change this cycle we keep seeing over, and over again. As a human race we have the right to change our destiny. I'm truly sorry if I offended anyone by what I've said, but one thing I still firmly believe is that education is the key to our success. And, if we for one minute say it's okay for our youth to talk like that, then we say it's okay to not succeed. How would you feel if your child got on TV and representing your family talking like that?, would it be OK?, or would you be embarrassed?, because I certainly would. Where could our youth get a decent job talking like that?, they will never know if you don't say anything, so I do. But,if you don't challenge them to look at their selves, and want better, then when will they?, Do you talk like that?,No, because you know it's not how we, or should talk, and I'm very sure if you did, then you wouldn't have a job, because no company, or at least no successful company would hire you talking like that, and that's all I'm saying, so "No" I don't think it's okay to express yourself in that matter, and you shouldn't either feel it's okay, Right?. Laquanisha, I didn't mean to attack you, and I'm very sorry for doing so, but please understand that a strong educated woman is a powerful thing.

— Just Say'n April 5, 2010 at 4:49 p.m.

Anthony, what "intolerance" and "bigotry" lead to daily black on black, brown on black, and brown on brown homicides that pollute the black and latino communities not just in LA but in every major city in the US? Intolerance for belonging to another gang? Bigotry by hispanics against blacks or vice versa?

We provide free education to everyone in this country. Some people, a disproportionate amount of which are in communities of color, choose not to embrace and value it, and then people like you come along and excuse it by saying nonsense like "different shades". BS. Dropping out of school, having kids, bangin on the streets....that aint education, bro, that's a recipe for violence, poverty, and continuing the cycle of what we see right now.

When the communities that this disease is affecting decide to take back their communities, value education, responsibility, life, and stop the victim mentalities of those like Anthony, we'll see this BS stop.

— Chris April 5, 2010 at 3:07 p.m.

It's so sad to see our youth so occupied with the "Now", and what's going on, instead of looking to the "Future", and how they could make a difference in their life, or in their community, breaking this ghetto stereotypical attitude, showing that the ghetto can't stop them from being the doctors, lawyers or teachers they want to be. Like Kendahl's Dad said our youth need to really reassess their lives, "because, the streets have nothing for you", but death and destruction, and I'm sure he's preached that time, and time again. He's saying that because he knows, so your parents don't have to feel the hurt, and pain he, and his family, and many others feel, as well as myself to see a long life snuffed out so early, and it's so sad. 'Syscom3' much respect to you, because I know you understand, and seem to care what gos on by the many post you've made, that I've read, that you've kept it real.

— Just Say'n April 5, 2010 at 8:51 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Kendahl Thena Williams, 18

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