Crime
Donte Lamont Brown identified as suspect in Compton drive-by shooting that killed woman and daughter
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Compton man suspected of fatally shooting his estranged girlfriend and her daughter in a drive-by attack at a stoplight earlier this week.
The victims, La’von Hall, 45, and her daughter, Ma’Laysia Martin, 22, were shot and killed around 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of Caldwell Street and South Central Avenue.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has identified the suspect as 41-year-old Donte Lamont Brown, a resident of Compton.
Authorities say Brown, described as armed and dangerous, remains at large, and detectives have exhausted all leads in their search.
On Thursday, LASD issued a public appeal for information on Brown’s whereabouts, urging anyone with knowledge of his location to come forward.
According to investigators, Brown frequents the Compton and Long Beach areas and was last seen fleeing the crime scene southbound on South Central Avenue.
Deputies responded to the scene around 7 p.m. Tuesday, where they discovered Hall lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
Martin, also suffering from gunshot wounds, was found in the passenger seat of a vehicle. Despite emergency efforts, both women were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say Brown pulled up alongside the victims’ vehicle at a stoplight and opened fire, striking both Hall and Martin.
Hall attempted to exit the car but collapsed on the ground. The suspect then fled the scene in his vehicle.
While an official motive remains under investigation, Compton City Councilmember Jonathan Bowers indicated that the shooting appears to be a case of domestic violence.
Further details regarding Brown’s relationship with Hall or previous incidents remain unclear.
Anyone with information on Donte Lamont Brown’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Authorities stress that Brown should not be approached and encourage anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately.
A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, according to the Cincinnati Police Department.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jesse Wilson, 65, who has been charged with aggravated murder in the death of 36-year-old Jessica Hardy. Wilson was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
Police said officers were dispatched at approximately 6:35 a.m. on March 6 to the 700 block of Ridgeway Avenue after receiving reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived at the Avondale apartment building, they discovered Hardy suffering from a gunshot wound.
Emergency crews attempted lifesaving measures, but Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to investigators.
The Hamilton County Coroner’s Office later confirmed her death and ruled the case an apparent homicide.
Detectives with the homicide unit launched an investigation shortly after the shooting, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses as they worked to determine the circumstances leading up to the deadly incident.
Wilson was subsequently identified as a suspect and arrested.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about what may have led to the shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police have asked anyone with information related to the case to contact the homicide unit.