Gerome Lee Thomas, 31, of Los Angeles was shot and killed on August 25, 2017 around 6 p.m. while standing outside the Master Burger restaurant in the 4400 block of South Western Avenue in the Vermont Square neighborhood. Coroner’s records say an assailant approached and shot Thomas multiple times; one companion was hit in the calf and another escaped unharmed. Thomas was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead at 7:57 p.m.

Investigators concluded the attack appeared tied to a personal dispute rather than general gang activity, though prosecutors later alleged the crime was committed on behalf of or in association with a criminal street gang. The gunman fled on foot to a waiting vehicle that then sped away. Detectives from the LAPD South Bureau identified suspects and on September 1, 2017 arrested brothers Rubin Day, 21, and Christopher Day, 23, and Tishay Nicole Fountain, 22. Each was charged with murder; charges also included attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, and Rubin Day was accused of discharging a firearm.

All three were scheduled for arraignment on September 19, 2017. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to come forward.