By Ryan Deto

During a walk back home from the liquor store on February 9, Herbert Seymour Jr., a 31-year-old black man, was fatally shot in the 10400 block of South Western Avenue.

According to a LAPD news release, the suspect approached Seymour on foot and shot him multiple times. Authorities pronounced him dead at the scene and coroner's records showed he was shot in the head, back and leg.

KABC reported that Seymour's father, Herbert Seymour Sr., heard gunshots and discovered his son lying in the street:

[Seymour Sr.] says his son simply walked less than a block from their home to pick up a few things at the store when tragedy struck.

“Five minutes later, we heard three shots. And by the time I got to the sidewalk, I saw my son laying in the middle of the street. He did not deserve to die that way,” said Seymour Sr.

Officials said the shooter was witnessed running away north on Western Avenue. The suspect was described as a black male in his late teens to early 20s.

According to the Los Angeles Times Homicide Report, 467 homicides occurred from 2007 until the time of the killing reported within a four mile radius of Seymour's death, but authorities believe his shooting to be an anomaly.

Investigators said Seymour was not a gang member, even though they suspected his killer was part of a gang. Police, at the time, had no known motive for the shooting.

It was later reported by KABC, that Councilman Bernard Parks and the Best Buy where Seymour worked put up a $50,000 reward for information that could help find the suspect.

Note: Due to technical difficulties, the LA Weekly's archive of all homicides within Los Angeles city limits was discontinued near the end of last year. We will be rolling out the 2011 homicides, one by one, until our “Murder was the Case” archive is up to date. Thanks for your patience.

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