Melvin Childs, 16

Melvin Childs, a 16-year-old black teenager, died Thursday July 7, after his body was left at a fire station in the 2000 block of South Western Avenue in Harvard Heights, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Two men in their 20s dumped the wounded teen outside Fire Station 26 about 9:45 p.m., said Los Angeles Police Officer Christopher No.

Paramedics transported Childs, of Gardena, by ambulance to a local hospital, where he died from a single gunshot wound, No said. Coroner's records later showed the teenager had been shot several times in the back.

Homicide detectives are searching for the two men who dropped off the teen, and are seeking the public's help. "They left without identifying themselves," No said.

Anyone with information about the shooting or the whereabouts of the two young men may call Det. Herman Frettlohr at (213) 382-9470 or the department's 24-hour tip line at (877) LAPD-24-7.

-- Ruben Vives