Teen Fatally Shot On Hollywood Walk Of Fame Identified

HOLLYWOOD, CA -- A 17-year-old boy who was fatally shot near the Hollywood Walk of Fame was identified today.

Police were informed of a ``shooting in progress'' at 1:08 a.m. Monday in the 7000 block of Hollywood Boulevard, said Los Angeles Police Department Officer Lizeth Lomeli.

``Detectives believe that the deceased shooting victim was with another unidentified suspect, and that they confronted a group of unidentified persons at Hollywood and Sycamore,'' police said in a statement.

``The group ran away from the deceased shooting victim and the second male suspect, and the second male suspect fired shots at the group running. The deceased shooting victim was likely armed and possibly fired at the unidentified victims. The shooting victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds and the investigation is ongoing.''

James Ford III was identified as the victim of the shooting, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner's office.

LAPD Officer Drake Madison said Ford was found lying on a sidewalk with a handgun next to him. Paramedics took him to a hospital, where he died, the LAPD reported.

The suspect being sought was described as a Black man, 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, and he wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call homicide investigators at (213) 382-9470, or (877) LAPD-247. Tipsters may also call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

-- City News Service