Crime & Safety

Fatal Panorama City Shooting Was Unprovoked, Police Say

Authorities are asking for help finding a gunman who shot to death a man experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

PANORAMA CITY, CA — Police are asking for help finding a killer who shot a homeless man to death in an unprovoked attack in Panorama City two days after Christmas.

According to the Lo Angeles Police Department, 42-year-old Benito Garcia was shot in the 13900 block of Saticoy Street just after two p.m. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died three days later, the LAPD reported.

"The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was standing on the sidewalk when the suspect, who was involved in a verbal dispute with another man, approached the victim and shot him," police said in a statement. "The shooting appears to have been unprovoked. The suspect fled east on Saticoy Street, stole a bicycle from a nearby homeless encampment, and fled the area."

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Authorities did not release a description of the gunman.

Anyone with information on the crime was urged to call LAPD Valley Bureau homicide detectives at 818-374-9550, 877-LAPD-247 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

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