Kenneth J. Gardner, 57

Kenneth "Kenny" J. Gardner, a 57-year-old black man, died Thursday, Aug. 27 from wounds sustained in a shooting in the 500 block of West 94th Street in Vermont Vista, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before midnight on Aug. 26, Gardner was the front passenger in a friend’s white Buick Century.  The driver, a 57-year-old man, had just opened a gate and was getting ready to pull forward when he stopped to talk to a 48-year-old man on a bike, LAPD Det. Mark Hahn said.

As the three were talking, two vehicles approached and two gunmen shot at all three of the men. It’s unclear whether the men got out of the vehicles, Hahn said.

Paramedics responded and pronounced Gardner dead at 12:18 a.m. inside the car, according to coroner’s records. The other two men were taken to a hospital where they were treated and released.  Several vehicles parked in the area were also struck by gunfire.

Hahn said that Gardner would often go to the area to visit his friend, whom he grew up with.

He said that the men are “older guys” and not involved in gang activity.

“It’s my belief he never even saw the shots coming or saw the suspects,” Hahn said.

Gardner’s sister, Patricia Gardner, said her brother was a friendly man who kept to himself.

Kenneth Gardner, a father of six, loved to barbecue, liked working on cars and had an affinity for animals.

“Kenny didn’t deserve what he got,” she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (323) 786-5111. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.