Kevin Cleveland Jr, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles, was shot dead on April 4, 2017, near East 60th Street and South Vermont Avenue in the Vermont-Slauson neighborhood. He was walking with a 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl at about 3:45 p.m. when another teenager approached, asked about gang affiliation, and opened fire. Witnesses heard roughly 10 gunshots at the strip mall where the shooting occurred.

Kevin and the two companions were taken to hospital; Kevin was pronounced dead at 4:49 p.m. The other teens survived. The shooting happened close to John Muir Middle School and Augustus Hawkins High School just after school let out. Kevin’s mother, Ladrena, said she heard the gunfire and went to find him; despite wounds to his stomach and leg he was initially able to speak and sat up on the gurney. Family reported Kevin had recently turned 17, was not involved in gangs and liked playing video games at home.

The LAPD described the suspect as a Black male about 16 to 22 years old, wearing jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. The case is being handled by the Criminal Gang Homicide Division and, as of the latest reports, no arrests have been made. If anyone has information that could help the investigation, please come forward.