Man pleads not guilty in rush-hour shooting death; police seek second suspect
A 29-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges related to the rush hour shooting death of a Los Angeles Unified School District custodian, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office.
Kenneth Clay has been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in the Nov. 25 shooting, said Jean Guccione, a district attorney's office spokeswoman. Clay is due back in court Dec. 19.
Police said that Clay was involved in the death of Jarret Crump, 21. On Nov. 25, Crump and a female friend were stopped at a light at West Century Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue.
A gunman got out of a black SUV in another lane about 5:40 p.m., walked through traffic and shot at Crump and the woman. The woman was treated for a graze wound, and Crump was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Clay also faces a count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and prosecutors allege that the crime was committed for the benefit of a street gang, Guccione said.
On Sunday, investigators released surveillance footage hoping for witnesses to come forward, though detectives already had Clay in custody.
Detectives believe Clay is involved in the killing but do not know whether he is the gunman, said LAPD Det. Sal LaBarbera.
Clay was arrested Nov. 26 on a parole violation after investigators spotted a car that looked similar to the black SUV used in the shooting, LaBarbera said.
Police are still looking for a second man believed to be involved.
Anyone with information can call the Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (213) 485-1383. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
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