Curtis Smith, a 35-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in downtown Los Angeles on March 2, 2025. The shooting occurred about 7:52 p.m. in the 700 block of Stanford Avenue, between San Pedro Street and Central Avenue. Officers from the LAPD Newton Division found Smith with gunshot wounds on the sidewalk; paramedics pronounced him dead at 8:02 p.m. The Los Angeles County Coroner ruled the manner of death homicide, the cause gunshot wounds.

Authorities say a suspect armed with a firearm drove up in a vehicle, opened fire, and fled. Multiple evidence markers were placed around a Volkswagen SUV and the victim’s body was covered by a police privacy canopy on the sidewalk next to the vehicle. LAPD Central Bureau Homicide is investigating and seeking to determine whether the shooting was gang-related or had another motive. No arrests or suspect identifications have been disclosed.

If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information that could help investigators, please come forward to LAPD Central Bureau Homicide.