Man Shot to Death on South Bay Porch Identified

TORRANCE, CA - The coroner's office on Monday released the name of a man who was shot to death on the front porch of a Torrance residence.

He was Christopher Beasley, 25, of Torrance, said coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz.

The shooting was reported about 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the 22000 block of South Van Deene Avenue, said Deputy Kimberly Alexander of the Sheriff's Information Bureau. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, she said.

Alexander said two brothers were standing on their front porch when a man approached and asked them where they were from," Alexander said, describing a common gang challenge.

"There was a brief exchange of words between the two brothers and the suspect," she said. "The suspect produced a handgun and shot towards the brothers."

Beasley was struck but his brother was able to escape by running inside the residence, Alexander said.

The assailant fled on foot into an awaiting white SUV, last seen traveling northbound on Van Deene Avenue, she said.

Deputies urged anyone with information about the shooting to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be left on the Crime Stoppers line at (888) 580-8477 (TIPS).

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock