A story for every victim

Thomas Theodore McCoy, 54

Thomas Theodore McCoy, a 54-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, Nov. 18 in the 9500 block of Defiance Avenue in Watts, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s records.

About 5:35 a.m., a woman called police requesting help because she had been shot, according to a video released by the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers said that when they arrived, they saw a muzzle flash and heard a shot, then saw a man wearing a black shirt and black pants running into a home. 

An officer, believing that he was being shot at by the man, fired, hitting a parked vehicle, police said.

Police said they discovered five people with gunshot wounds inside the home. McCoy and two others were taken to a local hospital.

A woman found inside the home, identified as Shaneca Marie Hughes, 32, died at the scene, authorities said.

McCoy was pronounced dead at 9:28 a.m. according to coroner’s records. The two others were treated and released.

Authorities identified the fifth person with gunshot wounds as Dereck Wilson, a 32-year-old black man. Wilson is believed to have shot the others, then turned the gun on himself, police said. His death was ruled a suicide.

The initial shooting was prompted by a family dispute, police said. 

McCoy was Wilson’s cousin, authorities said, and Hughes was Wilson’s girlfriend. Eleven cartridge casings were recovered at the scene, police said.

Contact the Homicide Report. Follow @nicolesantacruz and @latimeshomicide on Twitter.

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