Authorities today identified a man who was fatally shot in a suspected gang-related attack in the Palms area of Los Angeles.
The crime occurred in an alley in the 3300 block of Mentone Avenue about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department reported. Christopher Paul, 33, of Los Angeles died at the scene, said coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
It was unclear if Paul’s killing was related to a series of shootings in the Palms area that left a man dead and four others wounded on April 16, and that resulted in the arrest of an Inglewood man a day later, police said.
A murder charge, including gang and gun allegations, was filed on Wednesday against James Pickens, 37, who was initially jailed in lieu of $1 million bail. He pleaded not guilty and is due back in court April 28, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
During the series of shootings, two men were shot at Woodbine Park, at Woodbine Street and Vinton Avenue. Justin Aguilar, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other man was taken to a hospital.
Moments after that shooting, another man was shot and critically wounded at the intersection of Motor and Vinton avenues, and then two other men were shot at the intersection of Overland Avenue and National Boulevard.
