Michael Aron David, 30

May 9, 2011, 5:08 p.m.

Michael David, a 30-year-old white man, was shot and killed Saturday, May 7, near Sunset Boulevard and Echo Park Avenue in Echo Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

David was confronted by three unknown Latinos in their 20s about 12:30 a.m., according to an Los Angeles Police Department news release. One of the men was yelling at David very loudly, although witnesses were unable to hear what the assailant was saying, police said.

After a few seconds, David ran northbound across Sunset Boulevard and was chased by the three men. Police said one of the them could not keep up and fell behind.

Authorities said David continued running when one of the assailants fired a shot at him from a short distance away.

Immediately after shooting, the two assailants ran away on foot, heading east on Sunset Boulevard, police said. David fell as soon as he was shot but stood up and continued walking toward the intersection of Logan Street and Sunset Boulevard where he collapsed.

Paramedics were called and David was taken to a hospital where he died hours later.

Detectives are still investigating the motive for the shooting.

Anyone with information about the fatal shooting is asked to call Rampart homicide Det. Arteaga or Det. Linscomb at (213) 484-3639 or (213) 484-3642. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Los Angeles Times

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27 reader comments

I thought I posted a comment already guess it didnt work.

Ive been going to gold room for years near the intersection of echo park ave and sunset. i had a similar story basically 2 gang members attacked the girl i was with for her purse around 1230am on a saturday, i beat one down then 2 more came from an ally and I had 4 people kicking me.

These guys were not tough at all, she was ok, I left with a few arm brusies, they got nothing but a broken nose and half a cell phone. They were all 18-22 shaved head, latino, can only fight in packs of 3 of more...you know the type. Think they are tough but one on one aren't sh**.

Anyways, I didn't want to make myself a future target and since I was ok and she was ok this went unreported. I live in Echo Park and have seen the guys around, still walking the streets (way to clean up the streets LAPD) and 90% sure they are part of the crazies or cys which is a small local gang.

No idea if these are related and I don't know the details of the case but I have heard from long time residents that its a common spot for gangs to rob people then run up a back alley behind the BOA (thats where the two other gang members were hiding). Based on my experience and similar stories I've heard this could very well have been a robbery gone bad, I highly doubt a man with children would start a fight with 3 men on a dark street in Echo Park.

Not really sure if this would be racially motivated but I think most of those guys assume white people have money so that could also play a role in who they target. Ironically most white people in Echo Park are musicians, artists or work in film and are not well off.

— not posting May 17, 2011 at 11:13 a.m.

Here is the text from LAPD's official release on the shooting. A horrifying incident where an innocent man was confronted by gangbangers for no reason and chased down the street!

LAT - please report on this! How many more innocent Eastsider residents have to die until you all decide it's worth telling your readers about?

"
"The shooting victim was Michael David, a White, 30-year-old resident of Echo Park. According to witnesses, he was confronted by three suspects on the south side of Sunset Boulevard near Echo Park Street. One of the suspects was yelling at David very loudly, although witnesses were unable to determine what the suspect was saying. After a few seconds, David ran northbound across Sunset Boulevard and was chased by the three suspects. One of the suspects could not keep up and fell behind.

"The victim proceeded to run about one block heading west on the north side of Sunset Boulevard as the suspects chased him. He then went south into the roadway on the boulevard when one of the suspects fired a shot at him from a short distance away. Immediately after shooting him, the two suspects ran away on foot, heading east on Sunset Boulevard. David fell as soon as he was shot but stood up and continued walking toward the intersection of Logan Street and Sunset Boulevard where he collapsed. Michael David was immediately transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, but died around 7:42 a.m."

— Echo Parque May 16, 2011 at 12:48 p.m.

@PC and Meck --

This was a completely random killing! Why shouldn't it be covered? The meadis in Los Angeles has been covering the mid-City killing, and this act of violence is quite similar.

The victim had no gang ties; he was a hard working father who, according to witnesses, was unfortunately passing by and got caught up in the shenanigans of a few hoodlums who were causing trouble up and down Sunset Blvd. all night. They were kicked out of the Gold Room, took off down the street and apparently were out looking to kill for no reason.

I suggest you two stop trying to implicate that "white people" are looking for media coverage and instead head over to the Eastsider, who has been covering the case, to get the whole story that LAT isn't reporting.

If the victim was Hispanic, Asian, Black, Armenian etc. -- I still think it deserves coverage because of the random, unprovoked nature of the murder. Echo Park residents should know what's going on in their neighborhood if innocent bystanders are being targeted by young gang members!

— EP Resident May 16, 2011 at 12:33 p.m.

The Homicide Report

Michael Aron David, 30

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