At 12:40 a.m. on January 15, LAPD Criminal Gang and Homicide detectives believe 31-year-old black man Travis Patterson got into an argument with a man who would turn out to be his murderer, challenging him to a fight.

But the man, after leaving briefly, returned to the 1700 block of East 111th Place and shot Patterson multiple times in the torso and head, the >Los Angeles Times later reported.

When police arrived, Patterson was transported from Watts to a hospital in Lynwood…

… but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter, at 2:10 a.m.

LAPD Detective Ernie Mendoza said at the time that investigators had no physical description of the shooter, and weren't sure if his motive was gang-related.

Anyone with information regarding Patterson's death was urged to contact Mendoza at (213) 485-4341.

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. As of April 4, we have been rolling out the 2011 homicides, one by one, and will continue until our “Murder was the Case” archive is up to date. Thanks for your patience.

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