Paul Lawrence Freeman, 57

Paul Lawrence Freeman, a 57-year-old black man, died Thursday, Feb. 11, after he was shot in the 19800 block of South Leapwood Avenue in Carson, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Freeman was at home, where he lived with his brother and mother, when he and his brother, Rodney Freeman, 56, got into an argument around 2 p.m., said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Mendoza.

Paul Freeman picked up a baseball bat and began swinging it at his brother, Mendoza said. 

The younger brother had a gun, Mendoza said, and when his brother hit him with the baseball bat, Rodney Freeman shot him in the chest. 

Paul Freeman was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 2:47 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Rodney Freeman, who stayed at the shooting scene, was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was released from jail the next day, Mendoza said, pending a decision from the district attorney’s office about whether any charges should be filed. 

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.  

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @latimeshomicide on Twitter.