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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.