Crime & Safety

LAPD Won't Investigate Saturday Shooting Death As Hate Crime

After talking to witnesses, detectives feel the shooting death of Echo Park's Michael David was not likely motivated by race, religion or ethnicity.

According to Rampart Homicide Detective Michael Arteaga the shooting death of Echo Park resident Michael David early Saturday morning does “not appear to have been a hate crime,” based on witness accounts of what occurred. A preliminary interview with one witness raised the possibility, but talks with other witnesses suggested otherwise, said Arteaga.

Arteaga also told Echo Park Patch that “we have obtained several tools to enhance our investigation.”

“At this point there appear to be three suspects, as well as several others we’d like to talk to to eliminate their involvement as suspects,” he said.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Arteaga said several witnesses have come forward, but he believes others are still out there.

Michael David, 30, was shot just after midnight Saturday as he ran west on Sunset Boulevard.

Find out what's happening in Echo Park-Silver Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A police report says David ran up the street after one of the suspects yelled something at him as he stood at Echo Park Avenue and the south side of Sunset Boulevard.

David worked at the Silver Lake Trader Joe's and had lived in Echo Park for several years.

Those with information about the incident can should contact either Detective Arteaga at (213)484-3639 or Detective Linscomb at (213) 484-3642.

To read other Echo Patch reporting about the incident click .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Echo Park-Silver Lake