A man was in custody Monday for allegedly shooting and killing a man who had been hired to paint over gang graffiti on the wall of a Northridge business.
Jamal Jackson, 24, was being held without bail following his arrest on Sunday by personnel from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Bureau, according to the LAPD and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The suspect allegedly used an “Uzi”-type semiautomatic handgun in the shooting, which also wounded three other men in the vicinity, authorities said.
The fatally wounded man, along with three other men, were painting over graffiti near Vanalden Avenue and Parthenia Street at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday when the shooter approached in a white sedan traveling northbound on Vanalden, exited the vehicle and opened fire, striking a 60-year-old man multiple times in the chest, according to the LAPD.
The man was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later. His name was withheld, pending notification of his relatives.
Three other men in the immediate vicinity were also struck by gunfire before the shooter got back into the sedan and sped away northbound on Vanalden. Police said two of the shooting victims underwent surgery and the fourth was treated and released.
They were all Hispanic men, Officer Tony Im of the LAPD told City News Service.
“Detectives learned that the deceased was hired to paint out gang graffiti on the exterior wall of a business, located on Van Alden Avenue just north of Parthenia Street. While doing so, a white sedan driving northbound Van Alden Avenue, stopped near the victim and a male exited the driver side of the vehicle holding what was described as an `Uzi’ type semiauto handgun,” the LAPD said in a statement.
“On behalf of myself and my fellow commissioners I would like to offer our condolences for the loss of innocent life and wish the injured victims a speedy and full recovery,” LA Police Commission President Williams Briggs II said in a statement Sunday.
“This indiscriminate violence will not be tolerated in the City of Los Angeles. Angelenos will not be terrorized in their homes, businesses or going about their daily activities. The individual involved in this senseless crime will be found and brought to justice, and it is my hope that the District Attorney will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law,” Briggs said.
Police canvassed the area for CCTV video and any possible witnesses. LAPD Valley Bureau homicide detectives urged anyone with information about the shooting to call them at 818-374-1928 or 877-527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.lacrimestoppers.org.