Reward in Fatal Willowbrook Shooting Reinstated

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Board of Supervisors reinstated a $10,000 reward Tuesday in hopes of identifying the gunman who fatally shot a 25-year-old aspiring pro basketball player in Willowbrook in 2015.

Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended re-establishing the reward -- which had expired Jan. 10 -- in the death of Wendell Lee, who was gunned down just before midnight on the evening of Sept. 21, 2015.

He had been standing with a friend outside her house on Elva Avenue, just north of 123rd Street.

Lee, who grew up in the Gardena area, played college ball at Colorado State University Pueblo on a full scholarship. He was in town to try out for the Lakers minor league "D" team.

"The dreams the Lee family held for their son dissipated that night when a car pulled up, a man got out from the driver's-side rear passenger door and shot Wendell multiple times with an assault-style rifle," sheriff's Deputy Lillian Peck said when the reward was first announced.

Lee tried to run but was struck by several rounds and collapsed in a driveway. He was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood.

The suspect was described as a 20- to 28-year-old black man, 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10. He made his getaway in a silver 2003-2007 Saturn Vue "Red Line" edition. A witness said two other men were in the car.

Anyone with more information on the suspect was asked to call sheriff's Sgt. Scott Hoglund at (323) 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).

--City News Service, photo courtesy of Colorado State University at Pueblo