(July 22, 2018, 11:10 a.m., updated 5:25 p.m.) -- The L.A. County Coroner's office has identifed the man shot to death yesterday (July 21) at Pan American Park (Old Lakewood Village neighborhood, 5th dist.) as Frederick R. Taft, age 57, and listed his city of residence as Long Beach (information per Coroner Lt. Rudy Molano.)
Mr. Taft, an African-American man, was shot to death as he used a restroom during an afternoon group event (BBQ, amplified sound, family age-groups visible) in the park. A Facebook page for "Fred Taft" indicates he studied at Los Angeles Harbor College, is from Wilmington and went to Banning High School (Wilmington neighborhood of L.A.) [Caveat: Facebook page indicated he lives in Los Angeles] The day after the murder, messages began appearing on his Facebook page expressing condolences to the family, grief and anger -- some saying they believe the crime was racially motivated. Mr. Taft appears to have had many friends (not just on Facebook but in real life.) In a release yesterday (July 21), LBPD said the motive for the shooting is unknown, hasn't released a suspect description and said its investigation is ongoing (LBREPORT.com initial coverage here.) By the 5 p.m. hour July 22, the recent Facebook messages were no longer visible. [Scroll down for further.] |
Further as we learn it.
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