The family of a man who was fatally shot in the head in Hyde Park believe community members know who shot him. Gordon Tokumatsu reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016.
A month after Gerrik Thomas was killed, his family pleaded for help to solve the case.
Thomas, 21, was shot to death while walking on a Hyde Park sidewalk on Jan. 25.
Thomas' family believes that members of the community may have information that could help police track down Thomas' killer. However, they say there is a "code of silence" that prevents anyone from coming forward.
"Just to have his life taken away by someone who didn't even know him, didn't even care, that really hurts," said Karen Stenson, Thomas' great aunt. "I pray that someone tells where this person is so he can get what he deserves."
According to family members, Thomas was a nice, young man who was not in a gang.
"We shout and hold rallies when our kids are killed by police officers but won't speak up when our own are killing each other," said Denise Woods, the family's spokeswoman.
There is a small shrine on the corner of Ninth Avenue and West 54th Street where Thomas was found wounded.
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Anyone with information can call the LAPD Criminal Gang Homicide Division at 323-786-5113. Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
