[LASD release text] Sheriff's Homicide Detectives are continuing their investigation into the shooting death of a man in Lakewood.
Detectives have learned that Deputies from Lakewood Sheriff’s Station responded to a call of a gunshot victim at Hardwick Street and Woodruff Avenue in Lakewood. When they arrived, they discovered the victim, Richard Van Heyningen, 47, lying in the street suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
According to witnesses, the victim was riding his bicycle on Hardwick Street when a pick-up truck drove up from behind him and ran into his bicycle. The victim fell off of his bike and onto the street. The victim walked up to the driver’s side of the truck and started arguing with the driver. The driver, Brandon Van Heyningen, 44, who is the victim’s brother, got out of the truck and shot the Richard Van Heyningen with a handgun.
Deputies arrived on scene just after the shooting and took Brandon Van Heyningen into custody without further incident.
Richard Van Heyningen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives are in the process of interviewing witnesses and family member’s in an attempt to determine why the suspect shot his brother...
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
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