William Tyrone Moss, 46

Dec. 30, 2015

William Tyrone Moss, a 46-year-old black man, was shot and killed Monday, Dec. 21, in the 5300 block of South Compton Avenue in Central-Alameda, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s records.

Shortly before midnight, Moss was walking through a park when he was approached by a man who shot him, LAPD Det. Rich Arciniega said.

Moss was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:53 p.m., according to coroner’s records.

Witnesses identified the gunman as Prentiss Johnson, a 39-year-old black man, Arciniega said.

Johnson has been charged with one count of murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

Johnson pleaded not guilty to the charges Jan. 11 and is due back in court Feb. 10, according to the district attorney's office.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton homicide detectives at (323) 846-6556. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

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

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One reader comment

William Tyrone Moss. My loving friend and my sweetheart. I cannot believe you are gone from my life and I am sitting here writing this note on a homicide report page. We shared so many memories and talked for long hours about goals, visions and dreams we had. I will never forget watching the football games together and talking trash about your Green Bay Packers and you talking bad about my Cowboys. I remember us hanging out together and you coming over to the family house for dinner. Through all your pain and heartache you shared, I was glad to had been there for you...your trusted friend that you felt comfort to share so much with me. I will never spread the details you shared with anyone, ever. I told you I was your girl to the end, but I never thought this would be the end so soon. We had rich history together for the past 18 years, and it is such a shame to have all this end at a young age. All day my heart has been heavy and not hearing you commenting on the Super bowl game or hearing your laughter was the worst; I will always miss laughing out-loud with you. I will hold on to our personal memories forever. I pray that God will reveal who done this crime to you and that justice will prevail. I believe you deserve that because you had the best heart and with love you shared it with me. Most of all I know you are finally happy to be away from the projects and away from that mess you were living with for so many unhappy years. I am happy you and I shared words and each others emotional support through it all. Without a doubt I know you have reunited with your mother and father. Tyrone you will always, always be remembered for everything you done for me and all those early morning text messages and long conversations over the phone. As always one love babe. Until we meet again, ONE LOVE.

— Renee Ward Feb. 8, 2016 at 11:16 a.m.

The Homicide Report

William Tyrone Moss, 46

Share a memory or thought about William Tyrone Moss

One reader comment