A minor traffic accident in the parking lot of a West Hollywood grocery store led to a deadly confrontation earlier this week, according to sheriff’s officials.
Officers found 68-year-old Armando Gabriel unresponsive on the sidewalk outside the store after he went to the 7900 block of West Santa Monica Boulevard at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. Paramedics rushed the Los Angeles man to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Ramon Casas, a 48-year-old resident of Bell Gardens, has been arrested as a suspected murderer.
According to sheriff’s officials, Casas and Gabriel were involved in a minor traffic accident in the parking lot, after which they got into an argument. Casas allegedly attacked Gabriel and knocked him unconscious.
Casas was booked into the West Hollywood police station on $2 million bail and remains in custody, according to jail records.
No further details have been released by the sheriff.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. People who wish to remain anonymous may call LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit lacrimestoppers.org.
