Authorities hope a $5,000 reward will produce information that helps them find a man suspected of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend, the mother of his three children, in Bellflower earlier this year.
Antowan Parker Jr., 27, allegedly shot Kenia Buckner, 31, at 1:35 p.m. on Jan. 16 at her apartment in the 16200 block of Cornuta Avenue, the sheriff’s department reported.
“The suspect shot Kenia in front of the 10-year-old child they shared and in front of Kenia’s mother,” according to a sheriff’s statement that said Buckner’s 10-year-old niece and other family members were present and watched as the woman died at the scene.
Sheriff’s investigators, Bellflower’s mayor and Buckner’s mother, Debbie Buckner, appealed for tips as to the man’s whereabouts Tuesday at a news conference at the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau in Monterey Park.
“Antowan, I know you’re probably out there, and I know your family and friends probably know where you are. Please you guys, turn him in,” Buckner’s mother said. Through tears, she pleaded for help, saying, “We’re just looking for justice.”
Buckner and Parker’s three children are 10-year-old boy-and-girl twins and a 4-year-old daughter.
Buckner worked as a hairstylist and was studying for a career in nursing, according to the sheriff’s department.
A warrant has been issued for Parker’s arrest, and he is to be considered armed and dangerous, the sheriff’s department reported. Parker is black, 5-feet-9, 230 pounds, with brown eyes and long, dreadlock-style hair. He also has the name “Kenia” tattooed on the front of his neck.
Parker may have cut his hair short or shaved it to avoid being recognized, the sheriff’s department warned.
The reward was offered Tuesday by the city of Bellflower for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect.
Anyone knowing his whereabouts was urged to call Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau detectives Ralph Hernandez or John Carlin at (323) 890-5500.
Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.
–City News Service