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.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.