$50,000 rewards offered in two separate killings

Los Angeles Police Department authorities are offering $50,000 rewards for information leading to the identification and arrest of the gunmen in two separate killings, one in Venice and the other in South Park.

Police and city officials announced Thursday that they are actively seeking clues related to the Venice shooting death of Michael McGuire, a 21-year-old white man.

The assault took place at about 2 a.m. on June 24, shortly after McGuire and another man left a post-prom party. They were walking on the sidewalk when one or more assailants shot at them from a dark-colored SUV, police said.

When officers arrived, they found McGuire and the second male suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken by paramedics to a local hospital.

McGuire died 12 hours later due to complications from a gunshot wound to the back of the head, according to coroner's records.

The other male victim did not suffer life-threatening injuries, police said.

Anyone with information about the identity of the shooter(s) is asked to call the LAPD at (310) 482-6370.

Last week, authorities also held a news conference and asked the public to come forward with details that could help solve the shooting death of Shaquanna Watson, a 23-year-old black woman.

Watson was in a vehicle in South Park on July 27 at about 9 p.m. when another car pulled up and someone opened fire, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.

Authorities were called and Watson was taken to a local hospital. She died from gunshot wound complications, Winter said.

LAPD Newton Det. Kelle Baitx said it appeared Watson was not the intended target of the shooting. He said the shooter wanted to hit someone walking on the sidewalk, near Watson's car.

It's believed the incident was a gang-on-gang shooting and Watson was "in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said.

No one else was hit by gunfire.

Witnesses described the shooter as a male Hispanic driving a White Ford Econoline van that had no windows.

Det. Richard Arciniega, who is handling the investigation, said one of the purposes of the news conference is to remind the public that gang violence is a constant reality in parts of Los Angeles.

“Gang crime goes unseen because it doesn’t get the attention the same kind of crime would get on the Westside or out in the Valley,” he said.

Anyone with information about Watson’s death is asked to contact Det. Arciniega at (323) 846-6556.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous for either case can call Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-8477.

-- Sarah Ardalani

Photo: Michael McGuire. Credit: Department of Motor Vehicles