The Homicide Report

A story for every victim

The Homicide Report

Died on
Dec. 29, 2010

Gramercy Park
8701 S. St. Andrews Place
Age: 14
Gender: Male
Cause: Gunshot
Race/Ethnicity: Black
Agency: LAPD

Follow the story

Taburi Watson, 14 [Updated]

Jan. 4, 2011, 2:58 p.m.

Taburi Watson, a 14-year-old African American, was fatally shot Wednesday, Dec. 29, in the 8700 block of South St. Andrews Place in Gramercy Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Taburi was riding his bike near St. Andrews Place and 87th Street about 7:25 p.m. when one or more assailants fired shots.

More than one bullet struck the teenager, who staggered a short distance from his bicycle and collapsed. Neighbors came outside after hearing shots to find him lying on the ground. Taburi was declared dead after being taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

His death is the fourth in December with probable links to two warring Crips gangs in the Manchester Square and Gramercy Park areas east of Inglewood, Los Angeles police Det. Eric Crosson said.

At the time of his shooting, Taburi was wearing clothes suggesting an affiliation with one of the warring gangs, Crosson said. He was technically in “safe” territory for that gang, but near the turf of the rival gang.

Crosson called the violence part of an “escalating feud,” but added, “I’ve been in this division 13 years and they’ve been shooting each other the entire time.”

Anyone with information should call detectives at (213) 485-1383. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

[Update Jan. 13: $50,000 reward offered for Gramercy Park shooting death]

-- Howard Blume

Follow the story

Joint task force solves South L.A. homicides

Sept. 21, 2011, 5:30 p.m.
$50,000 reward offered for Gramercy Park shooting death

Jan. 13, 2011, 7:52 p.m.
Taburi Watson, 14 [Updated]

Jan. 4, 2011, 2:58 p.m.

Share a memory or thought about Taburi Watson

Before you post, here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Remember, all posts are approved by a Times staffer. Profanity and personal attacks will not be approved.

82 reader comments

It's going on four years my brother would have been eighteen in two weeks yet you still have something negative to say sycome do me a favor and everyone else just don't say nothing at all if you don't have nothing nice to say this is my little brother and I'll be damned if I let some judgmental person talk down about him for all these years. Do you know how many days months nights and weeks I spent wishing my brother would come back but arrogant judgmental people as yourself is the reason why I hate anyone bringing up my brother so how about worry about your own life and stop feeding into the internet bs since you have nothing else better to do. You seem like you're grown live your life and stop worrying about others and not so much about what society puts out for people to feed into negativity. My brother has been deceased since 2010 here it's 2014 just don't comment anymore enough is enough

— Kayloni watson July 15, 2014 at 11:04 a.m.

For all of yuh is writing about my baby brother in a bad way...My brother was just ike every other little boy in our community LOST...you guys dont knoe anything about him so why judge him. All his life he made nothin but good grades, went to skool, did everything he could possibly do as a teen. But its people like you that talk down about a person that makes them want to give up...you have no idea how this is hurting my family deeply. For my mother to lose her only son who was thee youngest shame on yourselves..Were thee ones have to deal with his lost and i come on here to read everything that yuh guys are saying...He was 14 have some respect for his death and for his family...you guys always judge people on what you read about them and for the police to say he looked as if he was a gangbanger it doesnt matter what he was wearing people got shot and killed for wearing any colors and as far as we knoe he was wearing black...PLEASE let my brother death be in peace....Thanxx yuh star, eriqa, and his coach for all of yuhr kind words and i like to personally thanxx my sister Kaylovee...

— LoVeeLy April 11, 2011 at 2:45 p.m.

First off who ever said my little brother wasn't a solider is disrespectful and rude you aint no better then my little brother. I read all yo comments and guess what you don't know how it feels to loose your baby brother at a young age. My mom and dad did everything to make sure he was safe and loved him the pain we all are going through is life changing. How you gone judge your a solider you been in a war but guess what you kill innocent people all the time go in their countries and kill who's ever in your way. Instead you get paid to kill. I may only be 16 but guess what you aint did nothing know better but kill just like the people who kill in la. You don't know how bad it hurts to hear that my lil bro was killed and I had to find out a 3am. Comments like yours is why I don't come out in the open no more because you judge too much. You don't know the struggle that we go through in la so don't judge have you been in our shoes put yourself in our shoes. Time changed over the years you can't wear the wrong colors or say the wrong thing.You should know it is you either go to school join a gang or join the biggest gang of them all the army. So don't you ever say my little brother wasn't a solider. Don't look at him like he is beneath you. Never look at him on the outside but on the inside just because what you hear on the news don't mean that's how it really was. Know one looks at the fact that he always made good grades friendly with everyone. Almost everyone in california know my brother and your comments that you put angered them and I finally stepped up and said something because my mom work to hard to say what she go to say. My brother was loved by many and can't know one tell me other wise if you have something to say about what im saying or dislike it. You can facebook me kaylovee watson and tell me what you don't like. R.I.P taburi watson my little brother iloveyou and missyouu so much its hard to saygoodbye and its hard to open your room door hoping that you coming home from royabal high but your not coming. Look down at yo big sis kayloni watson and lajuenese watson and try to make us smile. You and I were tight like twins just a year part. Iloveyouuu blacky (cameron and rodneys voice)

— im his real sister kaylovee March 19, 2011 at 9:19 a.m.

Sycom3 you are the most negative person I've read on here and it makes me think 3 things...1. you've never lived in poverty, therefore you can't imagine what the youth of today have to go thru! 2. a family member/friend of yours was killed/hurt/car-jacked etc... by a gang member and this is where your disdain comes from! 3. You are a police and see this everyday, giving you a different perspective....If you were a cop then you would know what the kids of these communities face everyday so that's not it!

I'll never make an excuse about gangs, in the Bay Area there are turf wars (streets), not gang banging (crips & bloods & MS13 & etc)....What I do know is that every poverty stricken city/neighborhood is the same in that without more resources, role models, job opportunities, and parents not on drugs this will never end!

Please go to a meeting in one of these communities or sit down with a panel of gangbangers (active and not active) and hear their stories...btw they're called young soldiers because while our Armed forces are in other countries fighting a war, there are wars going on in our own backyards that they don't seem to care about! If the only way to survive where you live is to carry a weapon or hide in the house, your in a war and if you fight back you're a soldier!

Don't tell me that if you live in the neighborhood and don't get involved in gangs you'll be ok. No! If you live in a gang infested neighborhood, you can be the honor student, in the house before the street lights go on, church choir, whatever illustrates a straight kid to you, and you can get killed walking out your house. Or get killed sitting in your living room, or going to the store for food!

Until you get a first hand account of what it's like to live there, your comments will never be taking seriously because you don't know! That's like one of these kids thinking that if they have a million dollars and live in Beverly Hills that their life will be perfect... however I can guarantee you that a kid with those millions in the Beverly Hills Mansions, will have a lot of problems that money can't mask!

All I'm saying to the NEGATIVE posters are Educate yourself on why the problems are what they are and then form an educated opinion.

— BayAreaNative Feb. 15, 2011 at 8:51 a.m.

R.I.P Taburi. It's not true there are a lot of us in our community that talk to the kids who are going astray and try and lead them down a more productive and positive path. I for one am one of those people. I would see Taburi quite frequently in my neighborhood, on one occasion I asked why he wasn't at school, he said he didn't have the bus fare, I gave it to him. I also had a long conversation with him on another occasion, there was just something about this kid that touched my heart. I guess it was that I felt his spirit and felt he could become a productive citizen if he only had guidance. He was always receptive to everything I had to say. He had a sparkle in his eye and to me it was saying "I just want someone to care" Anyway, RIP Taburi. Parents find out what your kids are up to and if it's negative activities put a stop to it!!! Stop at NOTHING TO DIRECT YOUR CHILD ALONG THE RIGHT PATH!!!!!!!!!!

— ann collins Jan. 26, 2011 at 11:12 a.m.

I don't know this, kid, but all I know is that he went to my school. A school that is about 8 miles away from where he lives. He was obviously trying to do something right avoiding going to an even worse school (Washing Prep), avoiding conflicts that could have resulted in an even faster death. Don't judge him on the fact that he was in a gang. Some people are simply forced to it, and guess what.. You can't leave. Not in a neighborhood like that. Going 8 miles out of your way to attend a school in Downtown, was a start. To bad he didn't get to finish. The whole "soldier" remark was taken to deeply by some, and you need to get over it. The boy is gone now, and what else do you want?
R.I.P Taburi, even though I dind't know you. From Roybal LC CSA.

— hurrrdurrr Jan. 16, 2011 at 1:55 p.m.

The deceased was wearing gang colors in a gang infected neighborhood. He told people he was in a gang. He was said to be a soldier for his gang. And some of you are upset or amazed that he was gunned down in cold blood.

This individual was young, but it incredulous that he didn't know what was going to happen once he joined his gang. There's been 30 homicides since 2007 within a mile of where he was gunned down. And there's probably been 300 shootings where the victim survived and didn't make the report. So don't tell me he was a stranger to gang violence.

There's many examples in this blog about a deceased gangster having two sides to their lives. A nice friendly side that is shown to their friends and neighbors. And there's an ugly side that society and others have to deal with.

Lets not pretend about him being a saint. His gang he had joined is not a charitable or benevolent society. He unfortunately was sucked into the dark side of life.

I put this boys death squarely for where it belongs. The gang enablers who made an impression on him that gang life is a glamorous life. As for the gunmen; don't pretend that that have a single iota of compassion or empathy for Mr. Watson. They are psychopaths who are doing exactly what they think is the way to conduct themselves. To kill, maim and terrorize society.

— syscom3 Jan. 16, 2011 at 8:22 a.m.

TABURI!!! TABURI!!!
is what we would say when we would see him... taburi to me was like a BRO. he would always make me feel good and he would always make me and everyone laugh he was always funny.. i miss taburi now...you really dnt recognize how much a person means to you untill that person is gone... i have a lot of good memories of taburi... he would always have a smile on his face and he would always be nice to mee...
i know a lot people think he was bad and thats why he probably got killed but NO!!!!!! all of you who think that are SUPERRRR WRONG taburi was a smart guy... he had a lot of people around him that love him...
it was so cool how andrea, eriqa, dranesea, taburi and me would always hang out during luch and laugh laugh and laugh.. even though hes gone we know that everyday at lunch hes gonna be next to us laughing at our jokes.. we will have an angel with us all the time.. ill always have that picture of him smilling all the time in ma mind.. ill always miss you...R.I.P TABURI WATSON..an awsome friend.

— goselyn<3 Jan. 14, 2011 at 7:44 p.m.

thats the best way it has ever been put when i read these postings... everyone is to blame for this on going problem in our community.... so all i say is if your so quick to point a finger make sure you point it at your selves to..

Mr Reality-

No one is to blame for this except those who choose to be involved. Gang members choose to be involved in gangs. The community is not responsible for what happened, criminals are. So many people in gang infested communities have been taught their whole lives that someone (community/church/welfare, you name it) is going to take care of them. No one will except you!! You are not destined for gang life, make your own life. Clean up and walk away (move). I've seen people do it, you just have to cut everyone off, don't even talk to them (this may include your parents/reltaives). No politician/political party, community service person or welfare worker is going to do a thing for you. It's all about money to them. Walk away.

— justamom Jan. 12, 2011 at 8:11 a.m.

It's a shame how its about soliders and BS. What about the fact that theres another young BLACK man dead. As far as I know the kid was leading his self in the right path. He was going to school everyday and played JV football. I'm not that coach so I'm not just saying these things to make him seem like he's a great kid. He went to school outside of the neighborhood. Like Eriqa said it's a shame how the school hasn't even spoke on it to his fellow classmates. People have lost a great friend at their school and people are just finding out and this is just his close friends at the school which was very few. Please leave the "soilders" lol and everything else alone and let TABURI MASTON rest in peace and leave some positive things about him.

RIP TABURI WATSON
Much love from the Roybal LC Coaching Staff

— Coach Jan. 11, 2011 at 7:39 p.m.

MR. REALITY
I'm sorry for your loss & I want to say that while my comments were about gang violence, I in no way assumed this young man was involved. My first comment although poorly worded, was to show I believe he was an innocent victim of gang violence.
Your comment reflects EXACTLY what I have been trying to say. It takes all of us to make a difference & our children or not, it is up to us to do what we can to stop it.
I'm not too much older then you & for almost 20 years I've known that those who turn a blind eye are partly to blame. Society today is a disgrace. People would rather turn their backs on those in need then to take the time to care.
Those who do nothing about a child in need have no right to turn around & b***h about the way they live.
Your right about it all starting at home also, I've seen mothers do everything they can & more while their child(ren) continue to throw their lives away.
I’ve also seen parents who could care less that their own kids are throwing their lives away. My own sister is one of them. It takes all kinds & I have seen first hand how trying to straighten a child out can force your own family members to turn against you.
What people need to get through their heads is that while walking away is the easy thing to do, no child deserves it. I’m not saying all situations are the same, but I can tell you that many kids that I see go down the wrong road have at many points in their childhood done things as a cry for help. Ignored, they chose to do what society has & have just given up.

— Living for tomorrows Jan. 10, 2011 at 12:05 p.m.

you all are so quick to judge someone elses situation, im only 26 and im still learning about life... but i knew this kid and im just gonna say before yall point the finger at gang violence it starts at home first... when i was 14 my mother had me in the house... and while yall pointing fingers i dont see non of you old ass people in the community doing anything to help these kids with no familys to get off the streets.. so all you finger pointing suckaz need 2 look in the mirror... you all play a role in the down fall of our ppl... if you see a kid in front of a store at 11 o clock at night and you turn your cheek... dont feel like you standing up for something because you went home to your keyboards and typed about it on line when they die!!! R.i.p to all the fallen soldiers that lost their lives...

— MR. REALITY Jan. 10, 2011 at 12:39 a.m.

Syscom3
Thank you for your take on what I said, but you completely missed the meaning.
I've seen you tell others to read the post again because they missed the meaning, here your advice can be given to you.
My whole point was about the fact that as long as people are taught that killing to defend is the only way to go, nothing will ever change, whether it’s a whole country or just a territory. It’s about the fact that those who join gangs do so thinking that they have a "family" who will always have their back, when the reality is that each gang member would kill a member of that "family" the moment they think their own interests are at stake. You couldn’t have been more wrong in the way you read it.

I am also sorry to inform you that your attempt at insulting me has fallen on deaf ears. Am I ever going to back down from my belief that killing other's is wrong, no. Am I ever going to change my mind because someone thinks my belief's that killing people to protect something that offers nothing in return is "pollyanish gibberish " no, I am stronger then that. The difference with me is that I recognize the fact that as an individual, I have my own mind & am free to believe what I do without ostracizing those who do not feel the way I do. My belief’s are solid & not subject to change when fitting in seems more important then being true to myself.
On a final note, I have read many of your comments & will admit that I do agree with you on some points I even have a little respect for you, but I do find your approach to be more of a talking down then an attempt at getting other’s to see your point of view. People are far less willing to listen when they feel that your replies will be more insulting then mature. I want to point something out that in no way is meant to offend you, only to (for lack of a better term) help you. I have learned over time that by not speaking down to people, they are far more willing to listen & to actual take what you say into consideration. You do not know me, nor do I know you but I do know what I am talking about. Where I am from, I am beginning to be known & it is for a very controversial reason. I started out by making more enemies then allies, but now it‘s the other way around. I am always up for discussion but will not respond to insults a second time.

— Living for tomorrows Jan. 9, 2011 at 6:44 a.m.

When I hear of things like this my first thought is “Why not put every member of every gang together & let them kill each others off so the innocent will stop being so needlessly slaughtered?” But I never forget that those killed by gang violence was someone’s son/daughter/brother/sister & even dad/mom. My heart goes out to every person who lost a loved one, no matter what the circumstances are surrounding their death.

I hear some say that gang violence is isolated to big cities. It isn’t. Where I live there is gang violence & our city is small enough that is someone is murdered chances are we know who was murdered &/or who murdered them. If we don’t know them, someone we know most likely did.

That said I would love to know why someone who kills someone else on the streets is called a murderer while someone who goes off to another country & kills someone is called a hero.
Taking another person’s life intentionally is murder period.

I do believe that gang members are cowards. If they weren’t, they would never hide behind a gun & a crowd of people. They call each other “family” yet will not hesitate to shoot a member of their own gang if they even suspect that they broke the code in anyway.

I also do not believe in war. The only reason there is war is because children are being brought up to want to engage in it. If people would stop teaching their children (world wide) that killing people in other countries is heroic, there would never be war. Instead, in every country children are brought up believing that if they love their country, they should die for it. Sorry, but I love my family a hell of a lot more then people I don’t even know. My family will always stand behind me, my country could care less. There is not one person who goes off to war that personally know every single person in their Government, let alone are loved by every person in their Government, so why would I leave my family to go kill other people on the orders of someone who doesn’t even know I exist?

As for gangs, the same can be said. Why risk your life for people you don’t know & who don’t know you? At least with gangs, people do meet those who give them orders in person but guaranteed that person could care less about you.

What it all boils down to is self respect, self esteem & the ability to love oneself. We need to teach our children that killing is wrong. Show them that we care, they deserve a chance at a real life. That saying “It takes a village to raise one child” is true. We need to step up & make them understand that their life is worth it.
I know many gang members come from broken homes & have/had horrible childhoods, but that is not a reason, it’s an excuse. No one’s family or life is perfect, but it’s up to us whether we are going to choose to do better for ourselves or to hand over our power to the ones who have caused us so much pain. It’s easy to give up, it’s hard to take your life back but to survive is to win.

— Living for tomorrows <3 Jan. 8, 2011 at 6:19 a.m.

— CFerrell ... the HR report has always been a place where concerned citizens can discuss all aspects of the homicides committed in LA County. Consider the HR report as the modern equivelant of the "letters to the editors" page of the newspaper.

You also need to look up the definition of what cyber-bullying is all about. None of it happens here because the editors do not publish those types of comments.

What you are reading are honest comments by normal people who tired of the gang violence, their life style and the destruction and terror they bring to society. Its obvious that some of the relatives of the deceased have never heard the truth being told to them. And I hope they do get a reaction from it. If they don't like it, then tough. In no uncertain terms, "they cant handle the truth".

As for the debates going on here; why not? before you can have action you need to debate the subject.

— syscom3 Jan. 6, 2011 at 4:26 p.m.

Gang banging is stupid and is a disease that plagues our nation for people of all colors and creed, but to sit here and glorify the US ARMY as if it is not the same d@mn thing is ridiculous. us vs them is human nature. It always has and always will exist. Why are we in Iraq and Afganistan? To be the world protectors against the people that we feel are the enemy? How do you think gansters think? The same way!! Why didnt we go to all of the African countries that have genocide slaughtering on a daily basis? Whats taking so long to move on north korea? We invaded iraq because we THOUGHT they had nuclear weapons.... we KNOW north korea has nuclear weapons because they said so!! Every great nation was built off of the blood and pain of another group of people for selfish gain and power. So please stop the self righteousness people. You never know what this young man may have turned his life in to. Every one who enters the gang life doesnt become a killer or a menace. Some find out that the lifestyle isnt for them when someone opens a dorr and shows them something better. Maybe his parents would have moved to another city or state... U never know!

— Thought Jan. 6, 2011 at 2:29 p.m.