The ex-boyfriend of a 45-year-old woman who was gunned down along with her 22-year-old daughter in a drive-by shooting in Compton was identified Thursday as the suspect in the killings.
Donte Brown, 41, is known to frequent the Compton and Long Beach areas and should be considered armed and dangerous, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
He is suspected in the shooting that occurred just after 7 p.m. Tuesday at Caldwell Street and Central Avenue. Responding deputies found one of the victims — the mother — in the street west of the intersection and her daughter in the passenger seat of a vehicle east of the intersection, both suffering from gunshot wounds, sheriff’s officials said. Both were ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
They were identified as La’von Hall and her daughter Ma’Laysia Martin.
Investigators said the two women were in their vehicle on Caldwell and stopped at the signal when a vehicle pulled alongside them and the suspect opened fire.
The suspect drove away southbound on Central Avenue, authorities said.
Brown was described as 5-foot-9, weighing 245 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. It was unclear what he was last seen wearing.
Anyone with information was asked to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.