What appears to be a gun can be seen in the right hand of a man wearing a head sock as he strode away from a parking lot where a woman was slain, in security camera video newly released by a homicide investigation.
Police believe the yet to be identified man is the killer of Jennifer Dickerson, 31, of Compton, an aspiring rap artist shot to death in Harbor City where she was working at a mobile barbecue stand. A second worker was also shot, but survived.
The shooting occurred on the afternoon of July 29, when the Pep Boys parking lot and surrounding sidewalks were busy. The shooter fired from about 60 feet away, LAPD homicide investigator George Romulo said.
"Jennifer was not the intended target," said Romulo. The investigation has determined she was not the target although detectives did not make it immediately clear who was and why.
Investigators gathered a considerable amount of video from security cameras in the area, and found the suspect after the shooting, heading across Pacific Coast Highway and south down Frampton Ave, then west of 259th, where an older GMC Jimmy SUV pulled over and the suspect got in through the passenger door. The SUV then turned onto Western Ave and was last seen heading north, Romulo said.
Investigators believe the GMC is from 1998-01, red with silver door trim along the side and rear bumper, and noticeable oxidation of the hood paint.
The suspect was described as 5'8"-5'11" tall, thin build, wearing a grey sweatshirt and blue jeans with black shoes. The head sock appeared to a balaclava, covering the entire head and face except for an opening for the eyes and forehead.
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Investigators encourage anyone with information to contact the homicide section at LAPD's Harbor Area Division by calling 310-726-7880.
