Marvin Ponce, 37

Marvin Ponce, a 37-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Wednesday, Aug. 3, near 7th Avenue and Brooks Court in Venice, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

About 4 p.m., Ponce was directing traffic at a construction site when a masked man approached, aimed a revolver and opened fire, police said.

Ponce, 37, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:18 p.m.

Co-workers at Right of Way -- a San Dimas company that provides traffic control for construction sites, film shoots and other events -- said Ponce was a cherished employee who left behind a 1-year-old daughter.

Ponce, a resident of San Fernando, had worked at the company for three years. The shooting happened on the company’s first day at the construction site in the Oakwood section of Venice, a neighborhood bounded by Lincoln and Abbot Kinney boulevards with a legacy of gang violence.

The day after the shooting, Ponce’s family members gathered at the crime scene to place flowers. Some embraced and wiped away tears.

“He was never late … and treated all of his co-workers with respect,” said Wes Molino, the company’s president. “He was a model employee and more importantly, a good man.”

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Right of Way said the company was helping LAPD detectives with the investigation.

After the shooting, the gunman fled west on Brooks Court. Police described the shooter as a black man wearing a mask. He was 25 to 30 years old and wore gray shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt and black glasses, LAPD Officer Norma Eisenman said.

Investigators canvassed the streets around the construction site, but the shooter remains at large.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD West Bureau detectives at (213) 382-9470. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.