Leon Antwan Scott, 28

Leon Scott, a 28-year-old black man, was fatally shot Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015,  in the 15600 block of South Washington Avenue in East Compton, according to Los Angeles coroner’s records. 

Hours before the killing, Martin Ernesto Cervantes, a 24-year-old Latino, and several other men had allegedly stolen a U-Haul from a Long Beach parking lot, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Det. Richard Biddle said.

About 10:30 p.m., Scott was at home with his wife in their Long Beach apartment, Biddle said. Scott then heard his car alarm go off when a U-Haul truck backed into his sedan.

Scott left his apartment to confront the driver, but the truck drove off. Scott tailed the driver for about a block until the truck stopped in the 15600 block of South Washington Avenue.

Scott got out of his car and approached the truck, Biddle said. Cervantes then opened the truck door and opened fire, authorities said. Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after the shooting.

Scott was pronounced dead at 10:47 p.m. at the scene, according to coroner's records.

Sheriff's deputies know the identities of the all men inside the truck, including Cervantes, who was initially held on unrelated charges. 

Cervantes was charged Jan. 14 on an unrelated case with two counts of using an assault rifle on a peace officer, shooting at an occupied aircraft, fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s vehicle, as well as two counts of unlawful firearm activity, according to a district attorney spokeswoman.

Cervantes on Jan. 29 pleaded not guilty to a murder charge relating to Scott's death, which was added to the other charges. He is scheduled to return to court Mar. 14.

Deputies also believe there is another man who was involved in the killing, Biddle said. The man, whose name was not released, is currently being held on unrelated charges. 

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