$50,000 reward offered for information in case of man gunned down in Harvard Park

Los Angeles police are asking for help in a fatal Harvard Park shooting last year and spreading the word that a $50,000 reward is available for information leading to the identification and arrest of the gunman.

The City Council approved the reward more than a year after the August 2015 killing of Marcus McClendon, a 52-year-old black man. The investigation has few leads, LAPD Det. Dominique Evans said.

“This is a quiet neighborhood where most people know each other or recognize each other at the least,” Det. John Jameson said Wednesday. “While people are cautious to say something, we’re hoping that someone would feel comfortable enough to say something now.”

Shortly before midnight on Aug. 17, 2015, McClendon and another man pulled up to a home in the 1600 block of West 65th Place to see a friend, according to detectives. About 10 minutes later, a man walked up and began shooting.

McClendon was pronounced dead at the scene; the other man survived.

“It’s been a long time, but the memories still stay fresh,” said Catherine Mazzucco, McClendon’s mother. “I want to keep it that way.”

Mazzucco, who has spoken about her son at support groups and Sunday services, talked with reporters gathered around her kitchen table with one of her daughters, two granddaughters and McClendon’s girlfriend. Pictures of her son were piled on the table.

She hopes the reward, approved Sept. 7, will encourage a witness to come forward.

“When we stop talking about our loved ones, people start to not care. And when they don’t care, they give up,” Mazzucco said. “I’m not about to let that happen.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the LAPD's Criminal Gang Homicide Division at (323) 786-5113. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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

Photo: Keisha Pittman, left, Marcus McClendon's girlfriend; nieces Brittany  Price and Cassandra Grady; mother Catherine Mazzucco; and sister Georgianne McClendon gather in Mazzucco's home Wednesday. Credit: Jerome Campbell / Los Angeles Times